Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8470)
Republic Act No. 8470 is an act creating the Province of Compostela Valley from the Province of Davao del Norte.
The Province of Compostela Valley comprises the municipalities of Monkayo, Montevista, Laak, New Bataan, Compostela, Maragusan, Nabunturan, Mawab, Maco, Mabini, and Pantukan.
The remaining municipalities are Tagum, Asuncion, Kapalong, New Corella, Talaingod, Sto. Tomas, Panabo, Carmen, Babak, Samal, and Kaputian.
The seat of government of Davao del Norte is Tagum, and for Compostela Valley, it is Nabunturan.
Davao del Norte is divided into two legislative districts: District I - Tagum, Asuncion, Kapalong, Talaingod, and New Corella; District II - Panabo, Carmen, Babak, Samal, Kaputian, and Sto. Tomas.
Compostela Valley is divided into two legislative districts: District I - Monkayo, Montevista, Maragusan, New Bataan, and Compostela; District II - Laak, Mawab, Nabunturan, Maco, Mabini, and Pantukan.
The creation becomes effective upon approval by a majority of votes cast in a plebiscite conducted and supervised by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) within 60 days from the effectivity of the Act.
The expenses for the plebiscite shall be charged to the Province of Davao del Norte.
They shall continue to serve in the province they choose and continue to receive their current salaries until salary readjustments occur. Vacancies caused by the creation of Compostela Valley shall be filled by presidential appointments until successors are elected.
Appointive officials and employees shall continue to perform their duties in the same province and receive the same salaries. Positions in Compostela Valley shall be open for application and must be filled within 60 days from ratification, without prejudice to current officials who wish to serve in Compostela Valley.
The three incumbent representatives shall continue to represent the original three districts until their terms expire. The new legislative districts take effect in the next election following approval of the Act.
They shall be divided proportionately between the two provinces by the President upon recommendation of the Commission on Audit.
The IRA allocated to Davao del Norte shall be proportionately divided between the two provinces according to terms set by the incumbent Sangguniang Panlalawigan and representatives. After the first year, each province is entitled to its own IRA as authorized by law.
The Act takes effect upon its approval on January 30, 1998.