WHEREAS, pursuant to the policy of the state to create every
possible opportunity in every part of the country, with particular
stress on those areas whose economic development, for one reason or
another lagged behind the rest of the nation, Presidential Decree No.
356 dated December 27, 1973, was promulgated creating the province of
Basilan; Whereas, under said decree, the particular needs of the city of
Basilan from the point of view of making the same financially viable at
least for the purpose of rendering essential public service, appear not
to have been considered ; and
WHEREAS, as a result thereof, the envisioned speedy
development was hampered by some factors which unless remedied would
render futile all attempts of said local government units to respond to
the problems of and provide adequate service to the residents of the
area.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by Constitution, do
hereby decree and order the amendment of Presidential Decree No. 356
dated December 27, 1973, as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 1 thereof is hereby amended, so as to
read as follows:
"SECTION 1. Except that portion of the territory
consisting the former municipality of Isabela, beginning at a point
marked "l" being S41°-00'E, 4,000 meters to point 2; thence N48°-30'E,
4,550 meters to point 3; thence from kilometers 4.60 in a crooked line
along Tabiawan river to point 4; thence along the shoreline of Isabela
Channel to the point of the beginning, with an area of 300 hectares more
or less, comprising the barangays of Campong Baro, Binuangan, Tabiawan,
Busay, Lanote, San Rafael, Menzi, Kumalarang, and Kabong Bata
(reference used in the preparation of the technical description — the
map of Basilan City showing road system prepared by the Department of
Public Highways, bearing a scale of 1:120, 000), which shall be known as
the City of Basilan, the territory embracing the whole island of
Basilan and adjacent islands, which is hereby divided into the
municipalities of:
Maluso, with territorial area beginning at the
point marked "1" being N11°-00'E (mouth of Cabcaban River), 14.000
meters to point 2; thence N88°- 00'W, 3,000 meters to point
3; thence N88°-00’W, 7,000 meters to point 4; thence along the
coastline to point of the beginning, including Cancuman, Sicagot,
Langan, Tamuk, Takela, Goreno, Tensolan, Pandak and Dalauan islands,
with seat of government at Barangay Maluso;
Lamitan, with territorial area beginning from point marked
"1" being the mouth of Balagtasan river along the course of the river
to Balagtasan bridge to point 2; thence S15°-00'E, 13,600 meters to
point 3; thence S88°-00'E, 8,7700 meters to point 4; thence N31°-00.'E,
2,5000 meters to point 5; thence S69°-00'E, 7,000 meters to point 6;
thence N23°-00'W 11, 600 meters to point 7, thence N25°-00'E,, 900
meters to point 8; thence along the coastline to point of the beginning,
with seat of government at Barangay Lamitan;
Isabela, which is comprised of the remaining barrios and
sitios of the former municipality of Isabela, with seat of
government at Barangay Begang;
Lantawan, with territornal area beginning at a point
marked "1" being S5°-30'E 3,6000 meters, fronting Balatanay island to
point 2; thence S21°-00’E, 2,900 meters to point 3; thence due south,
4,8000 meters to point 4; thence N88°-00'W; 7,000 meters to point 5;
thence along the coastline to point of the beginning, including Kaluitan
and Pangasa-an islands, with seat of government at Barangay Tairan;
Sumipsip, with territorial area beginning at a point
marked "1" being N11°-00'E, 14,000 meters to point 2; thence S88°-00'E,
11,200 meters to point 3; thence S25°-00'E, 8,000 meters to point 4;
thence along the coastline of Camalig river to point 5; thence along the
coastline to the point of the beginning, with seat of government at
Barangay Mangal;
Tipo-Tipo with territorial area beginning at a point marked
"1" being the mouth of Camalig river to point 2; thence N25°-00’W, 8,000
meters to point 3; thence S88°-00’E, 8,700 meters to point 4; thence
N31°-00’E 2,500 meters to point 5; thence S69°-00’E, 2,500 meters to
point 6; thence along the coastline to point of the beginning, including
Kaulungan island, with seat of government at Barangay Tipo-Tipo;
Tuburan, with territorial area beginning from the point
marked "1" being N23°-00’W, 11,600 meters to point 2; thence N25°-00’E,
900 meters to point 3; thence along the coastline to point of the
beginning, including Coco, Langil and Sibago islands, with seat of
government at Barangay Tuburan:
Tapiantana, witn territorial area comprised of the islands
of Bubuan, Saluping, Timbunga, Lanawan ans Tapiantana, with seat of
government at Barangay Tapantiana;
Malamawi, with territorial area comprised by the islands of
Malanawi, Lampinigan, Manulung and Insabdahon, with seat of government
at Barangay Carbon; and
Pilas, with territorial area comprised of the islands of
Balukbaluk, Mataja, Tagutu, Pilas, Mananggal, Pasig, Pasilan, Mamanak,
Orell, Palanigan, Siringo, Saloro and Sangbay, with seat of government
at Barangay Pilas
(Reference used in the preparation of the technical description —
map of Basilan Province bearing the scale of 1:100,000), as they are
hereby created, is constituted into a new province to be known as the
Province of Basilan.”
SEC. 2. The capital of the Province of Basilan shall be the
Municipality of Isabela and its seat of government shall be at Barangay
Begang.”
SEC. 3. Section 3 thereof is hereby amended so as to
read as follows:
"SEC. 3. Except as hereinafter provided, all provisions
of law now or hereafter applicable to regular provinces and
municipalities shall be applicable to the Province of Basilan and to the
municipalities herein created, respectively."
SEC. 4. Section 4 thereof is hereby amended so as to read as
follows:
"SEC. 4. The present elective officials of the Province
of Zamboanga del Sur shall perform their duties as such officials in the
newly created Province of Basilan until the officials of the latter
shall have been duly appointed by the President. The officials of the
newly created municipalities shall likewise be appointed by the
President. Such officials thus appointed shall hold office until their
successors shall have been elected in the election for provincial and
municipal officials following the issuance of this Decree and shall have
qualified unless sooner removed at the pleasure of the President. Other
appointive officials and employees as may be necessary to organize or
to complete the government personnel of the province and municipalities
herein created shall be appointed as provided for by law."
SEC. 5. All laws or parts of law or any executive order,
rule or regulation inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed and/or
modified accordingly.
SEC. 6. This Decree shall take effect upon approval.
Done in the City of Manila, this 2nd day of December, in the
year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-four.
(Sgd.)
FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President of the Philippines
By the President:
(Sgd.)
ALEJANDRO MELCHOR
Executive Secretary
