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Republic Act
Approved June 19, 1965

Republic Act No. 4221

An act creating the provinces of northern samar, eastern samar and western samar

An Act Creating the Provinces of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Western Samar

In plain language

This Republic Act establishes the provinces of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Western Samar, delineating their boundaries, capital cities, and the division of assets. It requires a plebiscite for effectivity and sets the effective date upon approval.

  • Creation of three separate provinces from the former Province of Samar
  • Specification of municipalities comprising each new province
  • Designation of capital cities for each new province: Catarman (Northern Samar), Borongan (Eastern Samar), Catbalogan (Western Samar)
  • Requirement of a plebiscite during the 1965 general elections for the division to take effect
  • Division of assets, funds, and properties of the former Province of Samar among the new provinces upon organization
  • Maintenance of existing congressional districts until reappointment, with Calbayog forming part of Western Samar's district
Province
Administrative Division
Samar
Northern Samar
Eastern Samar
Western Samar

REPUBLIC ACT No. 4221

An Act Creating the Provinces of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Western Samar

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress Assembled:

Section 1

The Province of Samar is hereby divided into three provinces, to be known as Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Western Samar.

Section 2

The Province of Northern Samar shall consist of that portion of the present Province of Samar which is comprised of the municipalities of Allen, Bobon, Capul, Catarman, Catubig, Gamay, Laoang, Lapinig, Las Navas, Lavezares, Mondragon, Palapag, Pambujan, San Antonio, San Isidro, San Jose, and San Roque.

Section 3

The Province of Eastern Samar shall consist of that portion of the present Province of Samar which is comprised of the municipalities of Arteche, Balangiga, Balangkayan, Borongan, Can-avid, Dolores, General MacArthur, Geporlos, Guiuan, Hernani, Jipapad, Lawa-an, Llorente, Maslog, Maydolong, Mercedes, Oras, Quinapundan, Salcedo, San Julian, San Policarpio, Sulat and Taft.

Section 4

The Province of Western Samar shall consist of that portion of the present Province of Samar which is comprised of the municipalities of Basey, Calbiga, Catbalogan, Daram, Gandara, Sta. Margarita, Hinabangan, Jiabong, Marabut, Motiong, Pinacdao, Sta. Rita, Talalora, Tarangan, Villareal, Wright, Zummarraga, Matuginao, San Jose de Buan, San Sebastian, Almagro and Sto. Niño.

Section 5

The capital of Northern Samar shall be Catarman; that of Eastern Samar, Borongan; and that of Western Samar, Catbalogan.

Section 6

Except as hereinafter provided, all provisions of law now or hereafter applicable to regular provinces shall be applicable to the Provinces of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Western Samar.

Section 7

The division of the Province of Samar as provided in this Act, shall become effective if a majority of the qualified voters of the said province shall vote in favor of such division in a plebiscite to be held simultaneously with the general elections of November, nineteen hundred and sixty-five, under the supervision of the Commission on Elections: Provided, That the new provinces shall thereafter be organized immediately upon the election of their respective first officials in the general elections of November, nineteen hundred and sixty-seven.

Section 8

The present congressional districts are hereby maintained until a reappointment under the provisions of the Constitution is approved: Provided, That the City of Calbayog shall form part of the representative district of the Province of Western Samar.

Section 9

Upon the organization of the new provinces, the obligations, funds, assets and other properties of the present Province of Samar shall be divided equally among the Provinces of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Western Samar by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Auditor General.

Section 10

This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 19, 1965.

For information and research only, and not legal advice. This text may not reflect later amendments. For certified copies, refer to the Official Gazette or the issuing agency.