Specific Territorial Configurations of the Eleven Municipalities
- Pandan includes its current territory plus northern portion of Sebaste divided by an east-west line, with its seat at Pandan.
- Culasi takes the remainder of Sebaste outside Pandan’s new boundary, with its seat at Culasi.
- Tibiao, Bugasong, Valderrama, and San Remigio preserve their present boundaries and configurations.
- Laua-an merges its territory with former Barbaza and Guijisan, seat at Laua-an.
- Patnongon incorporates its territory plus Carit-an and right bank of Sibalom river portion of San Pedro; seat at Patnongon.
- San Jose de Buenavista includes its territory, Antique, and the left bank Sibalom river portion of San Pedro; seat at San Jose de Buenavista.
- Sibalom combines its territory with EgaAa; seat at Sibalom.
- Dao unites its area with Anini-y; seat at Dao.
Procedures for Elections and Transition of Government Officials
- Municipal elections for newly created municipalities must follow Act No. 730 as amended by Act No. 928.
- After elections, new municipal officials assume office, and existing municipal governments within the affected territory are abolished.
- All current municipal offices in the reorganized municipalities are declared vacant once new officials take oath.
- Until elections and qualifications of new officials are complete, current officials continue to serve.
Legal Provisions for Passage and Effectivity
- The Act’s passage is expedited under the procedural law prescribing the Commission's order of enactment.
- The law takes effect immediately upon passage (October 23, 1903).
Key Legal Concepts
- Emphasis on administrative efficiency by reducing municipalities from twenty to eleven to enhance governance.
- Clear delineation of municipal boundaries for legal certainty and administrative clarity.
- Legal continuity and transition mechanism for municipal officials to ensure no governance vacuum.
- Adherence to prescribed election laws to legitimize new local government units.
- Use of surveys and official reports for precise demarcation underscores importance of accurate territorial governance.