Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1919)
The official title is "Charter of the Province of Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur."
The Province of Palawan was divided into three distinct and independent provinces: Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur.
Palawan del Sur is considered the mother province.
Palawan del Norte is composed of the municipalities of Coron, Culion, Busuanga, Linapacan, Taytay, and El Nido.
The capital town of Palawan Oriental is Roxas.
The corporate existence commences upon the election and qualification of its provincial governor, provincial vice governor, and majority of the members of the sangguniang panlalawigan.
The provinces shall have a combined share of not less than forty percent (40%) of the gross collection derived by the national government from the preceding fiscal year from specified sources such as mining taxes, royalties, forestry and fishery charges.
The provincial vice governor is the presiding officer of the sangguniang panlalawigan.
The provincial legal officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the province, of good moral character, a member of the Philippine Bar, and must have practiced law for at least five years.
Permanent vacancies are filled by appointment by the President through the Executive Secretary, but the appointee must be the nominee of the political party of the sangguniang panlalawigan member who caused the vacancy and must serve the unexpired term.
The provincial governor may carry out emergency measures necessary during and after disasters, coordinate resources, enforce laws, and represent the province in related activities.
The sangguniang panlalawigan may approve ordinances imposing a fine not exceeding Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00), or imprisonment not exceeding one (1) year, or both, for violations of provincial ordinances.
The plebiscite shall be conducted on the second Monday of May 2020 following the effectivity of the Charter, supervised by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
No, residents of the highly urbanized City of Puerto Princesa are not qualified to vote in the plebiscite or for candidates for provincial elective positions.
Each province has the power to create its sources of revenue, levy taxes, fees, and charges in conformity with the Local Government Code of 1991, and subject to the sangguniang panlalawigan's ordinances.
Members must disclose any business, financial, or professional relationships that may result in a conflict of interest before participating in deliberations or voting on relevant ordinances or resolutions.