Data as of July 4, 2026 · Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. · Read the official text ↗
WHEREAS, self-reliant communities are a must in line with
the intensified governmental development projects geared toward the hastening up
of the pace of economic development throughout the country;
WHEREAS, the primordial aim of development can be best
achieved by the creation of local government units which could, through faster
administrative response, greatly contribute to the social, cultural and economic
needs of our people;
WHEREAS, in the execution of said programs, close
supervision by local officials is a necessity not only to enhance the
development of the areas involved but simultaneously to insure peace and order
therein;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution, do hereby
order and decree, as part of the law of the land, the following:
SECTION 1. Barangays Gatub and Bagong Kahayag, both in the
Municipality of Kumalarang and Barangays Lakewood, Bolalawan, Sebugay,
Bisuangan, Lokoan, Backing, Dagum, Sapang Pinolis, Tubod, Gasa, Tiwales and
Matalang, all in the Municipality of Lapuyan, are hereby detached and separated
from their respective municipalities and constituted into a distinct and
independent municipality to be known as the Municipality of Lakewood, in the
province of Zamboanga del Sur. The seat of government of the newly created
municipality shall be in Barangay Lakewood.
SEC. 2. Except as hereinafter provided, all
provisions of law, now or hereafter applicable to regular muncipalities, shall
be applicable to the Municipality of Lakewood.
SEC. 3. The present elective municipal officials of the
Municipality of Lanuyan shall continue to perform their duties as such officials
in the newly created Municipality of Lakewood until the municipal officials of
said municipality shall have been appointed by the President. Such officials so
appointed shall hold office until their successors shall have been elected in
the regular elections for municipal officials following the issuance of this
Decree and shall have qualified, unless sooner removed at the pleasure of the
President. Such appointive officers and employees as may be necessary to
organize or to complete the government personnel of the Municipality of Lakewood
shall be appointed as provided for under existing laws.
SEC. 4. Upon the eifocl;ivity of this Decree, the
proportionate share oi' Lakewood in the obligations, funds assets and other
properly of the Municipalities of Kumalarang and Lapuyan shall be transferred by
the President to the newly created municipality upon the recommendation of the
Commission on Audit.
SEC. 6. This Decree shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila, this 11th day of November, in the year of Our
Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-seven.
(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President of the
Philippines
By the President:
(Sgd.) JACOBO C. CLAVE
Presidential Executive
Assistant
Source: Supreme Court E-Library, Republic of the Philippines. Philippine laws are public documents (works of the government).
