The word "charter" originally meant simply a written document, and it was often applied to deeds for the transfer of real estate. It is a legally binding document incorporating an organization or institution and specifying its purpose, remit or bylaws.

Marawi  City was a municipality named Dansalan, capital of the defunct undivided Lanao province in the Philippines from 1907 to 1940, first under the government of the Moro  Province, the Department of Mindanao and Sulu, the Bureau of Non-Christian Tribes, the Commonwealth, and finally the Republic.

According to one of the late well-known Meranao scholar Dr. Mamitua Saber,  Marawi  City got its charter in 1940.  But, Samira Gutoc, a Meranao journalist, said  that “the lone Islamic City in the country , Marawi, marked its 28 years last Tuesday as a chartered city celebrating the modern and the past.”

The granting of a charter to the old Dansalan  Municipality was jointly conceived by Commonwealth President, Manuel L. Quezon and Assemblyman, later Senator Tomas L. Cabili.  The changing of the official name from Dansalan to Marawi was through Congressional amendment of the Charter in 1956 sponsored by Senator Domocao Alonto.”  This is embodied in Republic Act No. 1552 dated June 16,1956.

Under the impact of Islamic awareness and consciousness,  the renaming of Marawi  City into Islamic City of Marawi was proposed in Parliamentary Bill No. 261 by former Assemblyman Dianalan, brother of former late Mayor Omar Dianalan.

Professor Talib Benito in his thesis work entitled:, “the Renaming of Marawi City into Islamic City of Marawi: An Attitudinal Study Among City Residents in 1983,” revealed that the bill was read before the Batasan floor during its second session on July 24,1979 and was transmitted to and received by the Committee on Local Government and Community Development on August 2,1979.

Republic Act No. 6734- “An Act Providing for an Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao” as amended by Republic Act No. 9054 “An Act to strengthen and expand the Organic Act for the

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao” and the Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Acts.       During the 1990 plebescite, the people of Marawi  City voted against the inclusion of the City in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.  Therefore, Executive Order No. 429 dated October 12,1990 provides the transfer of the City to Region 1X.
 
Another  plebiscite was scheduled toward the end of 2002.  Despite government campaigning for a yes vote in many provinces in Southern Mindanao, only one more province (Basilan) and one city (Marawi) voted to be included in the expanded ARMM.

Marawi  City is thickly populated by a Muslim Meranaos. The 68 years city is expected to be one of the progressive cities  in the Philippines. 
 

	1. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 22-04-2008 13:53 - Registered
	I am reminded of your article sir! You are right! Considering the fact that the reference point of all roads in Mindanao is with in us...It provides us a real picture on the reliability of your writings. Our young generation can make use of your article. WE hope other writer can see the importance of this