DECLARING ALL BARRIOS IN THE PHILIPPINES AS BARANGAYS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

• Number: Presidential Decree No. 557
• Sections: 6

Preamble

WHEREAS, the Barangay was the basic political unit existing

in the Philippines before the arrival of the Spaniards;

WHEREAS, it was through the Barangays that our forebears

consulted on matters of community interests;

WHEREAS, the revival of the Barangays under Presidential

Decree No. 86 has contributed considerably in awakening the interest of

our people and broadening their participation in government affairs, the

conduct of their officials, and other matters of public interest;

WHEREAS, the term "barrio" is of foreign origin and

consequently there have been various representations from the Barangays

all over the country to declare all barrios as Barangays:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the

Philippines by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution, do

hereby decree and order the following:

Section 1

SECTION 1. Any provision of existing laws to the contrary

notwithstanding, all existing barrio or barrios that may hereafter be

created are hereby declared as Barangays and all references to the

barrio in any existing laws shall henceforth be understood as references

to the Barangay: Provided, however, That in the case of the City

of Manila and other chartered cities where there are no barrios, all

existing Barangays therein created under Presidential Decree No. 86, as

amended, shall continue as such Barangays.

Section 2

SEC. 2. Republic Act No. 3590, as amended, otherwise known

as the Revised Barrio Charter, is hereby adopted as the Barangay

Charter.

Section 3

SEC. 3. All powers and rights vested in or exercised by the

barrio assembly, barrio council and all barrio officials pursuant to

Republic Act No. 3590, and such other powers and rights, appertaining to

or conferred upon them by other laws, shall henceforth be exercised by

the Barangay Assembly, Barangay Council and Barangay officials, and all

duties and responsibilities vested in or conferred upon them by existing

laws shall likewise be performed by the Barangay assemblies, Barangay

councils, and Barangay officials.

Section 4

SEC. 4. The officials of the barrio as constituted pursuant

to Republic Act No. 3590 shall now be known as Barangay Captain,

Barangay Councilman, Barangay Secretary and Barangay Treasurer.

Section 5

SEC. 5. This Decree shall take effect immediately upon

approval.

Done in the City of Manila, this 21st day of September, in the

year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-four.

(Sgd.)

FERDINAND E. MARCOS

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.)

ROBERTO V. REYES

Acting Executive Secretary