Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 4979)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 4979 is to divide the Province of Agusan into two separate provinces: Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur.
Agusan del Norte shall consist of the municipalities of Carmen, Nasipit, Buenavista, Cabadbaran, Tubay, Jabonga, Kitcharao, and Las Nieves.
A described portion of the Municipality of Esperanza, bounded by specific geographical points including the old Agusan-Misamis Oriental boundary, Barrio Maasin, and the old Las Nieves-Esperanza boundary, is separated and made part of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte.
Agusan del Sur consists of the municipalities of Bayugan, Esperanza, Prosperidad, San Francisco, Bunawan, Talacogon, La Paz, Loreto, Veruela, and Santa Josefa.
The capital of Agusan del Norte is Butuan City, and the capital of Agusan del Sur is the Municipality of Prosperidad.
The division takes effect upon the majority of votes cast in a plebiscite held simultaneously with the November 1967 elections favoring the division.
If favored, the new provinces shall be organized immediately upon the special elections of provincial officials and representatives in the November 1969 general elections.
All provincial officials elected for Agusan in the 1967 elections ipso facto become officials of Agusan del Norte and continue to serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
The Provincial Board of Canvassers of the Province of Agusan canvasses these votes in accordance with the Revised Election Code.
They shall be divided equally between Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Auditor General.