RLA BILL NO. 68

Republic of the Philippines

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

REGIONAL LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Cotabato City

FOURTH LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

(Second Regular Session)

[MUSLIM MINDANAO AUTONOMY ACT NO. 151]

Begun and held in Cotabato City, on Monday, the twenty eight day of October, two thousand two.

AN ACT CREATING THE MUNICIPALITY OF DATU SAUDI AMPATUAN OUT OF THE MOTHER MUNICIPALITY OF DATU PIANG IN THE PROVINCE OF MAGUINDANAO, AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Be it enacted by the Regional Legislative Assembly in session assembled:

SECTION 1. The Barangay of Bakat, Ganta, Elian, Inaladan, Penditen, Pagatin, Sambolawan, Madia, Dapiawan, Gawang, Kitango, Kabingi, Kitapok and Salbu in the Municipality of Datu Piang, Province of Maguindanao, are hereby separated from said municipality and constituted into a distinct and independent municipality in the same Province to be known as the Municipality of Datu Saudi Ampatuan.

SEC. 2. The seat of the government of the Municipality of Datu Saudi Ampatuan shall be in Barangay Kabingi to be known hereafter as the Barangay Poblacion.

SEC. 3. The Municipality of Datu Saudi Ampatuan contains a land area of Sixty Point Sixteen (60.16) square kilometers more or less, which shall be bounded as follows:

"From the point of origin, Point 1, the line moves due Northeast with a distance of 5,080 meters bearing 25° crossing the National Highway towards Point 2; thence, the line continues Northeast bearing 25° for 4,400 meters along the Municipality of Talayan to Point 3; thence, going Southeastward for 1,090 meters bearing 63° to Point 4; thence, continuously moving Southeast at 63° with a distance of 1,280 meters to Point 5; thence, moving Northeast bearing 15° for 2,120 meters to Point 6; thence, the line continues Southeastward bearing 64° with a distance of 2,260 meters to Point 7; thence, moving Northeastward with a distance of 600 meters bearing 8° to Point 8; thence, following unknown river at Southeastern direction, for 1,410 meters distance to Point 9; thence, continuously following the unknown river at Northeastern, Southeastern and Northeastern direction with a distance of 1,690 meters to Point 10; thence, going Southeastward bearing 35° for 930 meters to Point 11; thence, the line continues Northeast bearing 55° for 2,960 meters to Point 12; thence, going Southeastward for 2,330 meters bearing 29°30’ to Point 13; thence, going continuously Southeastward bearing 29°30’ with a distance of 2,500 meters to Point 14; thence, the line goes Southwestern bearing 37°30’ for 2,000 meters along the Municipality of Mamasapano to Point 15; thence, following Bakat Creek at Northwest direction for 1,860 meters distance to Point 16; thence, moving due West for 1,170 meters distance to Point 17; thence, moving continuously due to West for 3,930 meters to Point 17; thence, moving continuously due West for 3,930 meters to Point 18; thence, moving due West for 1,270 meters to Point 19; thence, the line moves Southwestward bearing 49°30’ for a distance of 270 meters to Point 20; thence, moving continuously Southwestward for 4,140 meters to Point 21; thence, continues Southwest bearing 49°30’ for 1,620 meters to Point 22; thence, continues Southwest for 3,480 meters bearing 49°30’ traversing the National Highway along the Municipality of Shariff Aguak towards Point 23; thence, moving due West for 1,670 meters crossing the traverse and going back to the point of origin."

SEC. 4. The Municipality is a corporate entity with jurisdiction in all matters developed to it by Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 25 in accordance with the Constitution and the Organic Act, and other existing laws which shall commence upon the appointment or election and qualification of its Municipal Mayor and a majority of the members of its Sangguniang Bayan.

SEC. 5. The Regional Governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao shall appoint the Municipal Mayor, Municipal Vice-Mayor and eight (8) members of its Sangguniang Bayan immediately after its ratification in a plebiscite who shall hold office until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified in the next regular local elections.

Sectoral representatives, as ex-officio members of the Sangguniang Bayan, shall be elected by their respective sectors according to the pertinent provisions of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 25, as amended, and other existing laws.

SEC. 6. The appointive municipal officials provided in the Local Government Code of the Autonomous Region shall be appointed by the Municipal Mayor with the concurrence of the majority of all the members of the Sangguniang Bayan: Provided, That appointment to position in the career service shall be governed by the Civil Service Rules and Laws.

SEC. 7. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC), shall conduct and supervise the plebiscite in the municipality directly affected by the creation of said municipality within One Hundred Twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act.

The creation of the Municipality of Datu Saudi Ampatuan shall take effect when ratified and approved by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite called for the purpose.

SEC. 8. The expenses necessary in holding the plebiscite shall be appropriated out of any available funds in the Office of the Municipal Treasurer of the mother municipality or the Office of the Provincial Treasurer in the Province of Maguindanao, not otherwise appropriated, by the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlalawigan, where proper, subject to accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

SEC. 9. This Act shall take effect upon its approval and publication in a newspaper of regional and provincial circulation in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

APPROVED:

ISMAEL B. ABUBAKAR, JR.

Speaker

This Act was passed by the Regional Legislative Assembly on May 14, 2003.

DATU MAMA M. AMPATUAN

Secretary-General

APPROVED:

PAROUK S. HUSSIN

Regional Governor

Date: June 9, 2003

DATU MAMA M. AMPATUAN

Secretary General