Home | Store | Site Map | Contact Us
Google

About the Philippines

Regions

Festivals and Events

Popular Destinations

Du-aw Pinas Store

Affiliates/Links

Quezon Beach, Sulu, Philippines
Quezon Beach, Sulu, Philippines

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (abbreviated ARMM) is the region of the Philippines that is composed of all the Philippines' predominantly Muslim provinces, namely: Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and the Philippines' only predominantly Muslim city, the Islamic City of Marawi. It is the only region that has its own government. The regional capital is at Cotabato City, although this city is outside of its jurisdiction.

The region is divided into two geographical areas – the Mindanao mainland and the Sulu Archipelago. Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and Shariff Kabunsuan are situated in the Mindanao mainland, while Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are located within the Sulu Archipelago.

The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao region was first created on August 1, 1989 through Republic Act No. 6734 otherwise known as the Organic Act in pursuance with a constitutional mandate to provide for an autonomous area in Muslim Mindanao. A plebiscite was held in the provinces of Basilan, Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Palawan, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur; and in the cities of Cotabato, Dapitan, Dipolog, General Santos, Iligan, Marawi, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa and Zamboanga to determine if the residents would want to be part of the ARMM.

Of the areas where the plebiscites were held only Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi voted favorably for inclusion in the new autonomous region. The ARMM was officially inaugurated on November 6, 1990 in Cotabato City, which was designated as its provisional capital.

In 2001 a new law was passed for the expansion of the ARMM to include the areas which initially rejected inclusion and the provinces which were carved from them, however only Marawi City and Basilan with the exception of Isabela City opted to be integrated in the region.

 

Province
Capital

Population(2000)

Area(sq. km)
Basilan
Isabela City
259,796
1,234.2
Lanao del Sur
Marawi City
800,162
3,872.9
Maguindanao
Shariff Aguak
435,254
4,900.1
Shariff Kabunsuan
Datu Odin Sinsuat
365,848
no data
Sulu
Jolo
619,668
1,600.4
Tawi-Tawi
Bongao
322,317
1,087.4

Cities

Main Tourist Attractions of the region:

Du-aw Pinas! Come and visit the beautiful 7,107 islands of the Philippines!

© Du-aw Pinas Website
For comments/suggestions send to: admin[at]duawpinas[dot]com