Coverage, territory, and constituent areas
- The Municipality of Socorro is created within Surigao del Norte.
- Socorro consists of designated barrios and sitios taken from the municipalities of Dapa and Numancia, both in Surigao del Norte.
- From the Municipality of Dapa, the following barrios and sitios are included in Socorro: Socorro, Nueva Estrella, Conbinay, Salug, Songkoy, Sudlon, Tinago.
- From the Municipality of Numancia, the following barrios and sitios are included in Socorro: Pamosaingan, Sta. Cruz, Bay-ang, Sinibayan.
- The seat of government of Socorro is at the barrios of Socorro.
Territorial scope including marine waters
- The territory of Socorro comprises the whole Island of Bucas Grande where all the included barrios and sitios are situated.
- Socorro’s territory includes the marine waters that the municipality shall have pursuant to Section 2321 of the Revised Administrative Code.
Segregation of former municipalities’ territories
- The municipalities of Dapa and Numancia retain their present territories minus the territory comprised in the Municipality of Socorro.
- After segregation, Dapa and Numancia must remain able to sustain their own municipal governments and obligations under the certification requirements.
Conditions for municipal existence
- Socorro begins to exist upon the appointment and qualification of the mayor, vice-mayor, and a majority of the councilors.
- Existence of Socorro also depends on certification by the Secretary of Finance.
- The Secretary of Finance must certify that Socorro is financially capable of implementing the Minimum Wage Law and providing all statutory obligations and ordinary essential services of a regular municipality.
- The Secretary of Finance must further certify that after segregation, Dapa and Numancia can still maintain credible municipal governments, meet all their statutory and contractual obligations, and provide essential municipal services.
Effect and implementing mechanics
- The executive branch provides for municipal operation through the appointment and qualification of local officials listed in the order.
- The start of municipal existence is operationalized through both (1) local official appointments/qualifications and (2) the Secretary of Finance’s certification of financial capacity and sustained viability of the remaining municipalities.