There were no changes made to the provincial boundaries of the ARMM this year.

There were no changes made to the provincial boundaries of the ARMM this year.

There were no changes made to the provincial boundaries of the ARMM this year.

There were no changes made to the provincial boundaries of the ARMM this year.

In 1996, the peace agreement was brokered between the MNLF and the Philippine government. Under the peace agreement, there would be a transition phase (Phase I), lasting a couple of years, that would be characterized by intense development and aid projects, followed by another referendum for creating a larger expanded autonomous region. The peace agreement designated the current 4 provinces of the ARMM and 10 other provinces and nine cities to comprise a Special Zone of Peace and Development (SZOPAD). After previous democratic rejections, the MNLF hoped that the two phase agreement would pave the way for an expanded ARMM, as provinces would vote for inclusion after seeing the benefits of autonomous rule.¹

No further developments observed.

No further developments observed.

No further developments observed.

No further developments observed.

ARMM president Nur Misuari makes a request to president Estrada to extend the term of the SPCPD for another 3 years and postpone the referendum on expanding the ARMM for 3 years. President Estrada denies the request and formally abolishes the SPCPD effective August 14, 2001 pursuant to Article XVIII, Section 16 of R.A. 9054. The plebiscite election is held on August 14, 2001.