Law Summary
Scope and Objectives of Barangays (Citizens Assemblies)
- Barangays serve as vehicles for the expression of people's views on both local and national issues affecting daily life and the nation's future.
- They are expected to consider vital national matters such as:
- Ratification of the new Constitution
- Continuance of martial law
- Convening of Congress on January 22, 1973
- Elections scheduled in November 1973
- Other significant issues may also be considered to guide government actions and decisions.
Procedures for Conducting Referendum
- A national referendum is mandated to be conducted by barangays between January 10 and 15, 1973.
- The referendum covers important national questions, including those listed above.
- Results are to be submitted promptly to the Department of Local Governments and Community Development.
- This procedure reflects the people's express will as gathered from reports of thousands of barangays nationwide.
Legal and Executive Authority
- The decree is enacted under the constitutional authority of the President as the Commander-in-Chief of all Armed Forces.
- Immediate effectivity of the decree is declared upon signing.
- The law underscores barangays as foundational to governmental affairs and citizen engagement in policy discourse.
Overall Significance and Implementation
- The decree aims to institutionalize grassroots democracy by empowering barangays as direct participants in national governance.
- It legitimizes citizens assemblies to conduct plebiscitary processes on key national issues.
- This serves to bridge government actions with the expressed popular will, ensuring that local perspectives inform national decisions.