WHEREAS, the Revised Barrio Charter, Republic Act No. 3590,
provides for the Barrio Assembly consisting of all persons who are residents of
the barrio for at least six months, eighteen years of age or over, citizens of
the Republic of the Philippines and who are duly registered in the list of
Barrio Assembly members kept by the barrio secretary;
WHEREAS, it is necessary to broaden the base of citizen
participation in the democratic process and to afford ample opportunities for
the citizenry to express their views on important national issues;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution as
Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines, do hereby decree
as part of the law of the land the following:
There is hereby created in each Barrio in municipalities and in each
district in chartered cities a Citizens Assembly: Provided, That in the case of
the City of Manila and other cities where there are no barrios, there shall be a
Citizens Assembly for every ward.
The Citizens Assembly shall consist of all persons who are residents of the
barrio, district or ward for at least six months, fifteen years of age or over,
citizens of the Philippines and who are registered in the list of Citizens
Assembly members kept by the barrio, district or ward secretary.
The Citizens Assembly shall meet at the call of the barrio captain, the
district or ward leader or at the request of at least one-tenth of the members
to consider matters of local or national concern.
For the purpose of conducting business and taking any official action in the
Citizens Assembly, at least one-fifth of the members should be present to
constitute a quorum. The proceedings shall be recorded by the barrio, district
or ward secretary or in his absence, any member designated as acting secretary
by the barrio captain or district or ward leader.
This Decree shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila, this 31st day of December, in the year of Our
Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-two.
(Sgd.)FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President
Republic of the Philippines