Preamble
WHEREAS, the Province of Basilan is at present subdivided into political units of a size and number not complementary to the size of the area; WHEREAS, in order to render the territorial partition of the Province of Basilan, under Presidential Decrees No. 356 and No. 593, more responsive to the pacification, rehabilitation and total development program for the area; WHEREAS, in order to effect a more viable political status for the Province of Basilan, a new subdivision of the province is consequently in order; 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 follows: