Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 356)
The main purpose is to create the Province of Basilan to promote economic, social, and political progress by providing faster administrative response and better service to the people of Basilan.
The whole island of Basilan and adjacent islands are included, except for the town proper or poblacion of the former Municipality of Isabela, which becomes the City of Basilan. The province includes the remaining barrios and sitios of the former Municipality of Isabela and the Municipal Districts of Lamitan and Maluso.
The Municipality of Isabela is designated as the capital of the Province of Basilan.
Yes, all provisions of law now or hereafter applicable to regular provinces are applicable to the Province of Basilan, except as otherwise provided in the decree.
The present elective officials of the Province of Zamboanga del Sur shall perform their duties in the Province of Basilan until officials have been duly appointed by the President.
Appointed officials will hold office until their successors are elected in the first election for provincial and municipal officials after the issuance of the decree and have qualified unless sooner removed by the President.
No, the Province of Basilan remains part of the representative district of Zamboanga del Sur until Congress passes a law reapportioning legislative districts pursuant to the Constitution.
The proportionate share of the Province of Basilan in the obligations, funds, deposits, and other properties of the City of Basilan shall be transferred by the President to the province upon recommendation of the Chairman of the Commission on Audit.
He issued the decree by virtue of powers vested in him by the Constitution as Commander-in-Chief and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081 and General Order No. 1.
The decree took effect immediately on December 27, 1973, the date it was signed.