Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 97)
The main purpose of Executive Order No. 97 is to organize certain barrios and sitios of the Municipality of Santiago, Province of Isabela, into an independent municipality under the name of San Mateo.
The barrios of Marasat Grande, Marasat Pequeño, Oscariz, Salinungan, and Sinamar, and the sitios of San Miguel, Nambacalan, Puroc ni Bulan, Bantug Petinez, Bantug Silverio, Cabicalan, Tao-tao, Macanuang, Bulusucan, Cadanglaan, Tandul, Gadanan, Baluno, San Mateo, Villa Fuerte, Villa Magat, Curag Sur, Daramuangan Norte, and Daramuangan Sur were segregated.
Before the order, Isabela had sixteen municipalities; after the order, the number increased to seventeen.
The seat of government is in the barrio of Marasat Grande.
San Mateo shall assume its proportionate share of the indebtedness of the municipality of Santiago to the loan fund under the administration of the Agricultural and Industrial Bank as may be outstanding on March 17, 1946.
The organization took effect on March 17, 1946.
The boundaries start from a straight line from M. B. M. No. 1 passing through Kilometer Post No. 350 on the National Road, follow the boundary line between Isabela and Mountain Province, then along the Tao-tao River to the Magat River, then following the Magat River until it intersects a northeast boundary line as described in the Santiago Cadastral Survey No. 211, Cases Nos. 6, 10, and 11.
The municipality of Santiago will consist of its present territory minus the territory that comprises the municipality of San Mateo.
Executive Order No. 97 was signed by Sergio Osmeña as President of the Philippines and by Jose S. Reyes as Secretary to the President.