Creating Banisilan from Existing Barangays
- The barangays of Kalawaeg, Gastao, Paradise, Malinao, Camalig, Pinamulaan, Pantar, Busaon, Tinimbacan, Nalagap, Salama, and Banisilan are separated from the Municipality of Carmen.
- The barangays are constituted into a distinct and independent municipality in the same province of North Cotabato.
- The new municipality is known as the Municipality of Banisilan.
- The seat of government is the present site of Barangay Banisilan.
- The separation becomes effective only after approval of the creation in the required plebiscite.
Municipality Boundaries and Territorial Description
- The Municipality of Banisilan is bounded using the following territorial line description.
- The point of origin is the intersection of Malitubog River and Cotabato-Lanao del Sur provincial boundary, point (1).
- The boundary follows the Cotabato-Lanao del Sur provincial boundary easterly to the junction of Kalawaeg and Maridagao Rivers, a common boundary point of Cotabato-Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon provinces, point (2).
- The boundary follows the Maridagao River downstream to its junction with Tumagak Creek, point (3).
- The boundary then runs southwesterly by an imaginary straight line to the peak of Kitubod Range, point (4).
- From point (4), the boundary continues in the same direction by an imaginary straight line to the center of Malitubog River, the common boundary of Carmen and Libungan municipalities, point (5).
- The boundary then runs northerly following the upstream course of Malitubog River to its intersection with the Cotabato-Lanao del Sur provincial boundary, returning to the point of origin (point (1)).
Plebiscite Requirement and Timing
- A plebiscite is required to approve the creation of the municipality.
- The plebiscite must be held in the areas affected.
- The creation is approved only by the majority of the votes cast in the plebiscite.
- The plebiscite must be held within one hundred twenty (120) days from the approval of this Act.
Elections Commission Role and Pleural Costs
- The Commission on Elections conducts and supervises the plebiscite.
- The expenses of holding the plebiscite are charged to local funds.
Interim Appointments of Local Officials
- After approval of the municipality’s creation in the plebiscite, the Mayor and members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Banisilan are appointed by the President of the Philippines.
- The appointed officials hold office at the pleasure of the President of the Philippines.
- The appointed officials also hold office until their successors are elected in the next general elections for local officials, and they have qualified.