Question & AnswerQ&A (BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 229)
The primary purpose of Batas Pambansa Blg. 229 is to define the composition of the merged Lupong Tagapagpaganap of Regions IX and XII, provide for sectoral representatives in the Sangguniang Pampook of said regions, and amend certain provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 20 accordingly.
In Region IX, the Sangguniang Pampook shall have representatives as follows: Basilan (1), Sulu (3), Tawi-Tawi (1), Zamboanga del Norte including Cities of Dipolog and Dapitan (4), and Zamboanga del Sur including Cities of Pagadian and Zamboanga (8), totaling seventeen representatives.
The President appoints the sectoral representatives, who represent the youth, agricultural workers, and non-agricultural workers of the region, based on recommendations from the Sangguniang Pampook and consultations with the relevant associations or persons.
The President must appoint the sectoral representatives any time after the election but not later than thirty (30) days thereafter.
The President can appoint an additional seven representatives if, in his judgment, any other sector is not properly represented in the Sangguniang Pampook as a result of the elections.
They are voted at large by the registered voters of their respective regions. The candidates from each province and its component cities, corresponding to the number of representatives allocated, who receive the highest number of votes, shall be declared elected.
The Lupong Tagapagpaganap shall consist of a Chairman, two Vice-Chairmen, and eight Members. They may or may not be members of the Sangguniang Pampook, but every province with its component cities must be represented.
The Chairman is appointed by the President from those recommended by the Sangguniang Pampook of Regions IX and XII. One Vice-Chairman and four Members are appointed by the President from recommendations of Sangguniang Pampook of Region IX; the other Vice-Chairman and four Members are appointed upon recommendation of the Sangguniang Pampook of Region XII.
They must vacate their elective position upon assumption of the appointive position and should assume their appointive role within thirty (30) days; otherwise, the President may appoint another in their stead.
All records, equipment, buildings, facilities, properties, and liabilities of the old Lupong Tagapagpaganap are transferred to the Lupong Tagapagpaganap created under Presidential Decree No. 1843, as amended.