Creation of Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur

Section 4 sets the capitals: Surigao del Norte—Surigao and Surigao del Sur—Tandag.
Section 5 applies all provisions in law that are applicable to regular provinces to both Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, except as otherwise provided in the Act.

Section 6 provides that the present elective provincial officers of Surigao continue performing their duties in either new province until their successors are elected and qualified.
Section 6 requires each elective officer to individually choose which province to serve within thirty days from the date of approval of this Act.
Section 6 directs that elective officers continue to receive the salaries they are receiving at approval of the Act until the new readjustment of salaries in accordance with existing law.
Section 6 authorizes the President of the Philippines, with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, to appoint elective officers necessary to fill vacancies in either province; appointees hold office until December 31, 1961 and/or until their successors shall have been elected and shall have qualified.

Section 7 requires special elections in either or both provinces to fill elective provincial positions vacated by incumbent provincial elective officials.
Section 7 requires special elections to be held simultaneously with the national elections in November, 1961.
Section 7 directs the Commission on Elections to carry into effect the special election provisions.
Section 7 provides that the Act does not affect the term of office of incumbent elected provincial officials of Surigao.

Section 8 requires the present appointive provincial officers and employees of Surigao to perform their respective duties in either new province until successors are organized under law.
Section 8 requires each appointive officer and employee to individually choose which province to serve within thirty days from the date of approval of the Act.
Section 8 directs that appointive officers and employees continue receiving the salaries they are receiving at approval of the Act until the new readjustment of salaries in accordance with existing law.
Section 8 provides that necessary appointive officers and employees to organize or complete government personnel in either province are appointed as provided by law.

Section 9 provides that each province—Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur—has one Representative.
Section 9 provides that the present Representative of the Province of Surigao serves as the Representative for Surigao del Norte during his term.
Section 9 provides that the same present Representative serves as the Representative for Surigao del Sur until a Representative for Surigao del Sur is elected in the next general election for national officials or in a special election called for the purpose.

Section 10 requires that upon effectivity, the obligations, funds, assets, and other properties of the present Province of Surigao be divided equitably between Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.
Section 10 directs the President of the Philippines to perform the division upon the recommendation of the Auditor General.

Section 11 provides that the Act takes effect upon its approval.
The Act is Republic Act No. 2786, titled “AN ACT TO CREATE THE PROVINCES OF SURIGAO DEL NORTE AND SURIGAO DEL SUR.”
The Act was approved and enacted without Executive approval on June 19, 1960.