WHEREAS, there is pressing need to accelerate the economic development program of the Government for the early attainment of the objectives of the New Society;

WHEREAS, among the economic development programs of the Government is the construction of ports and harbors facilities;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Proclamation No. 1265 dated May 21, 1974, all lands of the public domain and government lands, including lands under water, and those within one kilometer inland from the national highway situated along the coast from Tapal River, Gonzaga, Cagayan, to Nulton Point, San Vicente, same province, has been reserved for port development purposes;

WHEREAS, the Cagayan Valley is badly in need of a port of entry;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby decree and order:

SEC. 1. The Secretary of Public Works, Transportation and Communications shall immediately construct and develop the port and harbor facilities within the area subject of Proclamation No. 1265 dated May 21, 1974, between the municipalities of Gonzaga and San Vicente, Cagayan. The Secretary is hereby authorized to expropriate in behalf of the National Government, if and when necessary, all private lands within the vicinity which are needed by the Government for the purpose.

SEC. 2. The sum of Three Million Pesos (P3,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated out of any funds from the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated to carry out the purposes of this Decree.

SEC. 3. All laws, decrees, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4. This Decree shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-four.