# Act No. 21 (Moro Province)

Enacted, October 29, 1903. Approved by the Philippine Commission November 23, 1903.
By authority of the Philippine Commission, be it enacted by the Legislative Council of the Moro Province, that:

#### Section 1.

The municipalities of Mati, Davao, Makar, Cottabato, Malabang, Dapitan, Cateel, Baganga and Caraga are hereby established with boundaries as prescribed for each in sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, and the municipalities of Iligan and Zamboanga are hereby enlarged with boundaries as prescribed in sections 11 and 12. The provisions of the Municipal Code now in force in the Philippine Islands, except as hereinafter modified, are extended to the municipalities established by this act.

#### Sec. 2.

The municipality of Mati shall include all territory between the 7th parallel of N. Lat., and Cape St. Augustine, bounded on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the west by the waters of the Seno de Davao, and shall include in addition to the mainland, all the islands lying off the coast within a distance of three marine leagues except the Islands of Taluna, Samal and Santa Cruz, which shall be included in the municipality of Davao. The municipal town shall be Mati.

#### Sec. 3.

The municipality of Davao shall include the Islands of Taluna, Samal, Santa Cruz and the Sarangani Islands, the portion of the mainland on the east side of the Seno de Davao north of the 7th parallel of N. Lat., as well as that west of the north and south running watershed of the mountains lying to the northeast of the Seno de Davao, south of the parallel of latitude 7 degrees, 15 minutes north, and east of the western boundary of the district of Davao as prescribed in act No. 787, of the Philippine Commission. The municipality shall also include all islands within the three marine league limit of the shore lines of the mainland and of the Sarangani Islands and all of the Seno de Davao not included in the municipality of Mati. The municipal town shall be Davao.

#### Sec. 4.

The municipality of Makar shall include all territory of the mainland lying between the parallel of six degrees, 15 minutes, N. Lat., the eastern boundary of the district of Cottabato and a line following the general trend of the coast line and distant three marine leagues therefrom, terminating upon the parallel of 5 degrees, 30 minutes, N. Lat. The municipal town shall be Makar.

#### Sec. 5.

The municipality of Cottabato shall include all of the mainland and its adjacent islands lying north of the parallel of latitude 7 degrees N., bounded on the east by a line starting at a point on the parallel of 7 degrees N. Lat., distant about 55 miles from the intersection of this parallel and the coast line, and running N., 35 degrees W., to the eastern boundary of the district of Lanao on the west by the eastern boundary of the district of Lanao and a line parallel to the coast line and distant three marine leagues therefrom. The municipal town shall be Cottabato.

#### Sec. 6.

The municipality of Malabang shall include all territory lying north and west of the eastern boundary of the Lanao district, south of the watershed or the mountains which run approximately northwest, following the watershed to its intersection with the meridian 127 degrees, 30 minutes east of San Fernando, and east of the latter meridian, including also all the islands within the three marine league limit. The municipal town shall be Malabang.

#### Sec. 7.

The municipality of Dapitan shall include the territory bounded on the north by the ocean, on the east by the line separating Misamis from the Moro Province, on the south by the 8th parallel of N. Lat., and on the west by the Sea of Jolo, including in addition all islands within the three marine league limit. The municipal town shall be Dapitan.

#### Sec. 8.

The municipality of Cateel shall include all territory bounded on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the north by the 8th parallel of N. Lat., on the west by the watershed of the mountains parallel to the coast and on the south by the parallel of latitude about 7 degrees, 35 minutes north which runs through the middle of the swamp lying between the Rio Matuban and the pueblo of Quinablangan, and all islands within the three marine league limit. The municipal town shall be Cateel.

### Sec. 9.

The municipality of Baganga shall include all territory bounded on the east by the Pacific Ocean and on the north by the southern boundary of the municipality of Cateel as described in Section 8, on the west by the watershed of the mountains parallel to the coast, on the south by the east and west line equidistant from the villages of San Luis and Baculin and all islands within the three marine league limit. The municipal town shall be Baganga.

### Sec. 10.

The municipality of Caraga shall include all territory bounded on the east by the Pacific Ocean and on the north by the southern boundary of the municipality of Baganga as described in Section 9, on the west by the watershed of the mountains parallel to the coast line, on the south by the 7th parallel of N. Lat., and all islands within the three marine league limit. The municipal town shall be Caraga.

### Sec. 11.

The limits of the municipality of Iligan are hereby extended to include all territory of the Moro Province north of the 8th parallel of N. Lat., and east of the Mipangi River, its boundaries being the 8th parallel of N. Lat. on the south, the waters of the Panquil and Iligan Bays on the west, the parallel of latitude through Salinbal Point on the north and the meridian 128 degrees 8 minutes of east longitude on the east. All islands within the three marine league limit shall also be included. The municipal town shall be Iligan.

### Sec. 12.

The limits of the municipality of Zamboanga are hereby extended so as to include all territory o£ the Zamboanga peninsula south of the parallel of latitude 7 degrees, 30 minutes N., the Island of Basilan and all islands distant three marine leagues either from the mainland or from the Island of Basilan. The municipal town shall be Zamboanga.

### Sec. 13.

Municipal elections shall be held as may hereafter be provided in the Municipal Code of the Moro Province. Pending such municipal elections, the District Governors are authorized to appoint municipal officials such appointments being subject to approval by the Legislative Council of the Moro Province. Municipal officials now holding office shall be permitted to serve until the conclusion of their terms of office unless sooner removed for cause in accordance with the provisions of act No. 787, of the Philippine Commission.

### Sec. 14.

Subject to annulment or amendment by the Philippine Commission, this act shall take effect on its passage.