WHEREAS, it has been the clamor of the residents of the proposed municipality with the conformity of the local officials thereat, to create the proposed municipality, so as to accelerate the development and rehabilitation programs of the locality;

WHEREAS, the effective implementation of the declared programs of the government on development hinges primarily on the administrative efficiency of each and every local government units;

WHEREAS, the proposed municipality will become a self-reliant community once intensified government projects are made in line with the declared policy of the government to enhance the pace of economic development throughout the country;

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

SECTION 1. Barangay Sapa-Sapa, Baldatal Islam, Bana ran Tong-gusong, Banaran Lookan, Lakit-Lakit, Dalo-Dalo, Mantabuan Tabunan, Tapian Boheh, Labuan, Gadjaminah Palate, Likud Sicubong, Laum Sicubong, Buton, Kohec and Malanta, all in the municipality of Tandubas, in the pro vince of Tawi-Tawi, are hereby detached and separated therefrom to form and constitute into a distinct and in­ dependent municipality which is hereby created to be known as the Municipality of Sapa-Sapa without affecting in any manner the legal existence of the Municipality of Tandubas.

SEC. 2. The seat of government of the newly created municipality shall be in Barangay Sapa-Sapa.

SEC. 3. Except as hereinafter provided, all provisions of law, now or hereafter applicable to regular municipalities shall be applicable to the new municipality of Sapa- Sapa.

SEC. 4. The present elective officials of the Municipality of Tandubas shall perform their duties as such in the newly created municipality until the officials of the latter shall have been duly appointed by the President and they shall hold office until their successors shall have been elected in the election for provincial and municipal officials following the issuance of this decree, and shall have quali­fied, unless sooner removed at the pleasure of the President. Such appointive officers and employees as may be necessary to organize or to complete the government personnel of the municipality of Sapa-Sapa shall be appointed as provided for under existing laws.

SEC. 5. Upon effectivity of this Decree, the proportionate share of the new municipality of Sapa-Sapa in the obligations, funds, assets and other property of the municipality of Tandubas shall be transferred by the President to the newly created municipality upon recommendation of the Commission on Audit.

SEC. 6. All laws or parts of laws as well as executive orders or regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby re pealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. This Decree shall take effect immediately. Done in the City of Manila, this 4th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy seven.

 

			(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS President of the Philippines
	By the President:
	(Sgd.) JUAN C. TUVERA
		Presidential Executive Assistant