CREATING THE MUNICIPALITY OF NEW PANAMAO, IN THE PROVINCE OF SULU

WHEREAS, it is the fundamental aim of the State to
provide every possible opportunity and facility to accelerate the pace
of progress throughout the land with emphasis not only in areas where
economic development lagged but likewise in places where political
considerations, among others, constitute a serious impediment to the
early realization of the aims and purposes of the New Society;

WHEREAS, creation of municipalities, through
division of existing municipalities, would not only enhance the
development of the areas involved for projects intended for development
would be given closer attention and supervision by local officials but
would also ensure peace and order within their respective localities;

WHEREAS, the necessity is imperative to create by
division, the Municipality of New Panamao, out of the existing
Municipality of Panamao (Old) so as to maximize the efficacy of law and
order thereat and to expedite optimum development thereof;

WHEREAS, the creation of the Municipality of New
Panamao will benefit economically, socially and politically the
residents of the area or areas affected;

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 and make as part of the
law of the land:

SECTION 1. Panamao in the Province of Sulu shall
remain a municipality, exercising powers and discharging functions over
the areas specified in the law of its creation, except the barangays of
Gagguil, Kamih Pungud, Libug-Kabaw, Punay, Gata-gata, Tiptipon, Pandakan
and Lubok-lubok, all of the aforesaid municipality, which are hereby
segregated therefrom to constitute a separate and independent
municipality to be known as the Municipality of New Panamao, also in the
Province of Sulu.

SEC. 2. The seat of government of the Municipality of New Panamao shall be in Barangay Punay.

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 New
Panamao.

SEC. 4. The present elective municipal officials of
the Municipality of Panamao shall continue to perform their duties as
such officials in the newly created Municipality of New Panamao until
the municipal officials of said municipality shall have been appointed
by the President or elected in the regular elections for 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 New Panamao
shall be appointed as provided for under existing laws.

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

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

Done in the City of Manila, this 1st day of January, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty.

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