Kalayaan Island Group Sovereignty Decree

Section 1 declares that the area within specified boundaries known as the Kalayaan Island Group belongs and is subject to the sovereignty of the Philippines.
The sovereign coverage under Section 1 expressly includes the sea-bed, sub-soil, continental margin and air space.
The decree constitutes the area as a distinct and separate municipality of the Province of Palawan.
The municipality’s name is “Kalayaan.”

The Kalayaan Island Group boundaries are defined from a point at latitude 7A40' North and longitude 116A00' East of Greenwich, then follow these turning points and directions:
- Due West along the parallel of 7A40' N to its intersection with the meridian of longitude 112A10' E.
- Due North along the meridian of 112A10' E to its intersection with the parallel of 9A00' N.
- Northeastward to the intersection of the parallel of 12A00' N with the meridian of longitude 114A30' E.
- Due East along the parallel of 12A00' N to its intersection with the meridian of 118A00' E.
- Due South along the meridian of longitude 118A00' E to its intersection with the parallel of 10A00' N.
- Southwestwards back to the point of beginning at 7A40' N, 116A00' E.
Section 1 fixes the described area as the territorial subject of the sovereignty declaration.

The recitals state that the Kalayaan Island Group is vital to the security and economic survival of the Philippines.
The recitals state that much of the area is part of the continental margin of the Philippine archipelago.
The recitals assert that these areas do not legally belong to any state or nation.
The recitals state that, by reason of history, indispensable need, and effective occupation and control established in accordance with international law, the areas must now be deemed to belong and be subject to the sovereignty of the Philippines.
The recitals state that other states’ claims to some of the areas have lapsed by abandonment and cannot prevail over the Philippines on legal, historical, and equitable grounds.

Section 2 provides that the administration and government of Kalayaan is vested pending elections of regular officials and during an emergency period.
The administration and government are vested in the Secretary of National Defense or in such officers of the Civil government or the Armed Forces of the Philippines as the President may designate.
The vesting operates pending the election of its regular officials.
The vesting operates during the period of emergency declared in Proclamation No. 1081.
The vesting also applies unless earlier provided by law, which controls any earlier legal arrangement.

Section 3 provides that the decree takes effect immediately, making its sovereignty declaration and governance mechanism operative upon effectivity.