WHEREAS, it is a policy of the State to strengthen local government units to serve as a foundation for a strong self-reliant nation; WHEREAS, the strength of a local government unit depends, to a certain measure, upon its identity, as signified by its name;
WHEREAS, the name "Tumbao," a municipality of Maguindanao, Central Mindanao, does not serve as a proper symbol which could edify and rally the inhabitants of the said municipality;
WHEREAS, the municipal officials of Tumbao, including the inhabitants therein, have jointly or severally expressed their desire to rename their town into "KABUNTALAN";
WHEREAS, the name KABUNTALAN is expected to per petuate for posterity the heroic exploits of their traditional leaders who from time immemorial to the present enjoyed the nobility as "Sultan sa Kabuntalan;"
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution, do hereby decree that the name of the Municipality of Tumbao be changed into the Municipality of Kabuntalan.
This Decree shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila, this 22nd day of September, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy- six.
(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President of the Philippines
By the President:
(Sgd.) JUAN C. TUVERA
Presidential Executive Assistant