Be it enacted by the Batasang Pambansa in session assembled:

SECTION 1. The Name of the Municipality.—There shall be created the Municipality of Ponot, Province of Zamboanga del Norte, out of the southwestern barangays of the Municipality of Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte, namely: Ponot, Manawan, Dinasan, Tamil, Tabon, Lopero and Madalag. The seat of the Municipal Government shall be in Barangay Ponot.

SEC. 2. The Technical Description of the Municipal Territory.—The technical description of the territorial jurisdiction of the Municipality of Ponot shall be, beginning from the mouth of Disakan River; thence following Disakan River upstream until it intersects latitude eight degrees and twenty-two minutes (8° - 22'); thence due east until it reaches Dohinob Dacu River; thence following Dohinob Dacu River upstream until it intersects longitude one hundred twenty-three degrees and ten minutes (123°-10’) ; thence due south until it intersects latitude eight degrees and seventeen minutes (8°-17'); thence due west until it intersects longitude one hundred twenty-three degrees and four minutes (123°-04'); thence running in straight line on a northwestern direction following the existing municipal boundary between the Municipalities of Manukan and Sindangan, Province of Zamboanga del Norte, until it reaches the shoreline; thence following the shoreline on a northeastern direction until it reaches the mouth of Disa-kan River, the point of beginning. (Technical description is part of the record.)

SEC. 3. The Municipal Government Officials, their qualifications and salaries.—The qualifications, salaries, compensations or emoluments of the municipal government officials of Ponot shall be those provided for and fixed by existing law.

SEC. 4. Appointment of Municipal Government Officials. —After ratification by the majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite to be conducted in the area or areas affected within a period of ninety days after the approval of this Act, the President (Prime Minister) shall appoint the Mayor and other officials of the new Municipality of Ponot.

SEC. 5. Effectivity.—This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved, January 3, 1979.