Question & AnswerQ&A (Act No. 3354)
The main purpose of Act No. 3354 is to create the provinces of Oriental Misamis and Occidental Misamis by dividing the existing Province of Misamis and establishing their boundaries.
The Province of Oriental Misamis consists of the municipalities of Balingasag, Cagayan, Gingoog, Initao, Salay, Tagoloan, and Talisayan, the island of Camiguin with its municipalities and adjacent small islands, and the municipal districts of Claveria, Lourdes, and Napaliran.
The Province of Occidental Misamis comprises the municipalities of Baliangao, Plaridel, Oroquieta, Aloran, Jimenez, Tudela, Clarin, and Misamis, as well as a portion of the Province of Zamboanga described by specific boundary lines.
The Governor-General may direct that the portion of any municipal district or barrios in the territory of Zamboanga that belongs to the Province of Zamboanga be annexed to municipal districts or barrios belonging to Occidental Misamis to maintain unity.
The municipal districts continue to function and are transferred to the control and jurisdiction of the provincial authorities of Occidental Misamis. Pending civil and criminal cases are also transferred to the jurisdiction of courts exercising jurisdiction over Occidental Misamis.
The capital of Oriental Misamis is designated as Cagayan, while the capital of Occidental Misamis is to be designated by the majority of the municipal presidents in a convention called by the provincial governor.
All provisions of law applicable to regular provinces are applicable to both Oriental Misamis and Occidental Misamis.
The elective provincial officers of the former Province of Misamis continue to govern Oriental Misamis until successors are elected and qualified. The elective provincial officers of Occidental Misamis, however, are appointed by the Governor-General and hold office until successors are elected and qualified.
The provincial officers of Oriental Misamis continue receiving their current salaries until new adjustments are made. In Occidental Misamis, salaries are designated by the provincial board but capped at specified amounts for provincial governor, treasurer, and fiscal, with per diem for board members.
Each new province shall have one Representative. The Representative for the first district of Misamis is considered representative for Oriental Misamis, and the Representative for the second district is considered representative for Occidental Misamis.
The distribution of funds, obligations, and properties is to be done equitably in a manner recommended by the Insular Auditor and approved by the Governor-General.
The Governor-General is authorized to designate by executive order the date for carrying out the division, which must be no later than December 31, 1930.
All acts or parts of acts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed.
The Act took effect upon its approval on November 30, 1927.