Preamble
WHEREAS, the Province of Cotabato is one of the largest and richest provinces of the Philippines; WHEREAS, the potentials of the province have not been fully developed due to the magnitude of the task of provincial development and to the troubles that have long plagued the area; WHEREAS, the many conflicting political, social and economic interests that have limited the progress of the province must be resolved in order to promote the stability and accelerate the development of Cotabato; and WHEREAS, there is need for dividing the present province into smaller units which can be more effectively administered and developed; 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, and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972, and General Order No. 1, dated September 22, 1972, do hereby order and decree: