QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 66)
Executive Order No. 66 organizes certain municipal districts in the Province of Cotabato into independent municipalities named Dulawan and Midsayap.
It cites Section 68 of the Revised Administrative Code as the authority for increasing the municipality by organizing municipal districts into independent municipalities.
It states that the one municipality of Cotabato is increased to three by organizing several municipal districts (including portions of Dulawan) into two independent municipalities (Dulawan and Midsayap) in addition to the remaining structure in the province.
The seats of government are in the barrios of Dulawan (for Dulawan) and Midsayap (for Midsayap).
Dulawan consists of the territory at present comprised within the municipal districts of Daguma, Isulan, Maganuy, Reina Regente, Talayan, and the southern portion of the municipal district of Dulawan.
It is bounded on the north by the north bank of the Cotabato River; on the east beginning from the mouth of the Dansalan River to the junction of the Maitumig and Kabilanan Rivers; on the south by a straight line from the junction of Maitumig and Kabilanan Rivers running northwesterly to a point 500 meters east of Talayan Market; and on the west by lines leading to B. L. monument No. 7 on the south bank of the Cotabato River and then to the north bank of the Cotabato River.
It is bounded on the north by the LibuAgan River; on the east by a north-south line from the LibuAgan River to where it meets the Cotabato River; and on the south by a line tangent to the extreme western boundary of Agricultural Colony No. 2, then running generally west along the north bank of the Cotabato River and skirting the eastern shore of Lake Labas to the LibuAgan River.
Midsayap consists of the territory within the municipal district of LibuAgan and the northern portion of the municipal district of Dulawan.
It takes effect on January 1, 1937.
The recommendation of the provincial board of Cotabato is a prerequisite, and it must be concurred in by the Secretary of the Interior.
The provincial board’s recommendation must be concurred in by the Secretary of the Interior.
Each municipality is described as being comprised of multiple barrios, and EO No. 66 enumerates the specific barrios included in each.
The enumeration specifies which barangay-level territorial units belong to each newly created municipality, thereby defining their composition.
It states that the new municipalities are formed from the territories “at present comprised within” specified municipal districts and portions, indicating continuity of the land that existed before the reorganization.
It uses rivers (Cotabato River, Dansalan River, Maitumig and Kabilanan Rivers, LibuAgan River), lakes (Lake Labas), market reference points (Talayan Market), and a monument (B. L. monument No. 7) to define territorial boundaries.
It is signed by President Manuel L. Quezon and countersigned by Elpidio Quirino, Secretary of the Interior.