Presidential Decree No. 1618 (Ferdinand Marcos)/Chapter III

by Ferdinand Marcos

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Chapter III—Sangguniang Pampook

Sec. 6. The Sangguniang Pampook.—The Sangguniang Pampook in each region which is composed of twenty-one members, shall include seventeen representatives elected from the different provinces and component cities in each region, as follows:

Region IX—The provinces of Basilan, one representative; Sulu, three representatives; Tawi-Tawi, one representative; Zamboanga del Norte including the Cities of Dipolog and Dapitan, four representatives; Zamboanga del Sur including the Cities of Pagadian and Zamboanga, eight representatives;

Region XII—The provinces of Lanao del Norte including the City of Iligan, three representatives; Lanao del Sur including the City of Marawi, four representatives; Maguindanao including the City of Cotabato, four representatives; North Cotabato, four representatives; and Sultan Kudarat, two representatives; and sectoral representative each from among the youth, agricultural workers, non-agricultural workers and professionals of the region.

The President shall appoint an additional five representatives whenever in his judgment any other sector is not properly represented in the Sangguniang Pampook as a result of the election.

Sec. 7. Powers of the Sangguniang Pampook.—The Sangguniang Pampook shall exercise local legislative powers over regional affairs within the framework of national development plans, policies and goals, in the following areas:

(1) Organization of regional administrative system;

(2) Economic, social and cultural development of the Autonomous Region;

(3) Agricultural, commercial and industrial programs for the Autonomous Region;

(4) Infrastructure development for the Autonomous Region;

(5) Urban and rural planning for the Autonomous Region;

(6) Taxation and other revenue-raising measures as provided for in this Decree;

(7) Maintenance, operation and administration of schools established by the Autonomous Region;

(8) Establishment, operation and maintenance of health, welfare and other social services, programs and facilities;

(9) Preservation and development of customs, traditions, languages and culture indigenous to the Autonomous Region; and

(10) Such other matters as may be authorized by law, including the enactment of such measures as may be necessary for the promotion of the general welfare of the People in the Autonomous Region.

The President shall exercise such powers as may be necessary to assure that enactment and acts of the Sangguniang Pampook and the Lupong Tagapagpaganap ng Pook are in compliance with this Decree, national legislation, policies, plans and programs.

The Sangguniang Pampook shall maintain liaison with the Batasang Pambansa.

Sec. 8. Staff Support.—The technical and administrative support requirements of the Sangguniang Pampook shall be as provided in Section 15. The administrative organization of the Sangguniang Pampook shall be composed of the office of the presiding officer and shall be assisted by a secretariat.

Sec. 9. Rules of Proceedings.—The Sangguniang Pampook shall adopt its own rules of proceedings by a majority vote of all its members, including the procedure for the selection of the presiding officer. Pending the adoption of said rules, the Rules of the Batasang Pambansa shall, as far as practicable, be made applicable to the Sangguniang Pampook.

Sec. 10. Salary of Members.—Each member of the Sangguniang Pampook shall receive an annual salary of Twenty-Four Thousand Pesos (₱24,000.00), chargeable against Sangguniang Pampook funds.

Sec. 11. Term of Office.—The term of office of members of the Sangguniang Pampook shall be three years and they shall continue in office until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.

Sec. 12. Privileges.—A member of the Sangguniang Pampook may engage in business or in the practice of his profession unless such activity will give rise to a conflict of interest by reason of his position as such member, or unless he is concurrently the Lupon Chairman or member of the Lupong Tagapagpaganap ng Pook.

Sec. 13. Establishment of Schools in the Autonomous Region.—The Autonomous Region may establish educational institutions such as schools, colleges and universities within the framework of the national system of education as defined in the Constitution and laws. Such educational institutions shall be operated and maintained by the Autonomous Region.

All state colleges and universities whose main campuses are located in the Autonomous Region shall assist and cooperate for the progress and development of the region. For this purpose, the Lupon Chairman shall designate his representative to sit as member of the governing boards of these institutions in addition to the present members thereof.