Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 407)
The purpose of Presidential Decree No. 407 is to create the Municipality of Tboli in the Province of South Cotabato to allow various ethnic groups to retain their culture and traditional ways of life while integrating them into the legal and governmental system of the Philippines.
The ethnic groups considered were the Tboli, Ubo, Blaan, Maguindanao, Manubo Blit, Tiruray, and Manubo Sdaf.
The creation was based on petitions and resolutions from tribal councils, barrio officials, municipal councils, the Provincial Governor of South Cotabato, and private civic organizations, all favorably endorsing the establishment for self-government and cultural preservation.
Barangays, sitios, and settlements were separated from Surallah, Banga, Tupi, Polomolok, Maasim, Kiamba, and Maitum to form the Municipality of Tboli.
The seat of government is at Sitio Kematu, adjacent to the present Tboli reservation.
The President of the Philippines has the authority to appoint the elective officials of the new municipality until their successors are elected and qualified.
All provisions of law now or hereafter applicable to regular municipalities shall also be applicable to the Municipality of Tboli.
They shall be transferred by the President from the affected barrios, settlements, sitios, and reservations to the newly created Municipality of Tboli.
An appropriation of Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000) was made from any available fund in the National Treasury for the initial organization and administration of the new Municipality.