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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.   9618 
Introduced by  
REPRESENTATIVE PANTALEON D. ALVAREZ 
AN ACT 
CREATING A TRIBAL BARANGAY TO BE KNOWN AS 
BARANGAY MESOLONG FROM THE EXISTING ANCESTRAL 
DOMAIN IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TALAINGOD, PROVINCE 
OF DAVAO DEL NORTE  
EXPLANATORY NOTE: 
Under the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997, 
particularly under the Chapter on the Right to Self-Governance and 
Empowerment, 
“The 
indigenous 
cultural 
communities 
(ICCs)/indigenous peoples (IPs) living in contiguous areas where they 
form the predominant population but which are located in municipalities, 
provinces, or cities where they do not constitute the majority of the 
population, may form or constitute a separate barangay in accordance 
with the Local Government Code on the creation of tribal barangays.”  
Under Sec. 386, R.A. No. 7160, the Local Government Code provides 
that “To enhance the delivery of basic services in the indigenous cultural 
communities, barangays may be created in such communities by an Act 
of Congress”, notwithstanding the population requirement of at least two 
thousand (2, 000) inhabitants. 
In the case of the Municipality of Talaingod, an area classified as 
timberland was declared as Ancestral Domain of Langilan-Ata Manobo 
Tribe as certified by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples 
(NCIP). The timberland area contains 19, 330 households, 19, 627 
November 23, 2023
3:48 pm


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registered voters and a population of 65, 344 is predominantly populated 
by the Langilan-Ata Manobo tribe where a “Tribal Council” currently 
leads the community. 
This Council passed in 2022 a Resolution requesting the 
undersigned to facilitiate the creation of a Tribal Barangay from the 
proposed barangays of Tibi-tibi, Cabadiangan, Mesolong, Lumabag, 
Nasilaban, Natulinan, and Tibucag. The Resolution stated, among others, 
that “such creation is intended to uplift the Langilan-Ata Manobo tribe’s 
political self-determination.” 
This Resolution has in turn been supported and endorsed by the 
Municipal Council of Talaingod, the Ata-Manobo Tribal Council of 
Elders/Leaders, the Ancestral Domain Management Office, and the 
Indigenous Political Structure of Talaingod.  
In support of the Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination, 
the realization of their rightful aspirations, and sustainable development 
in the said area, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
PANTALEON D. ALVAREZ 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.   9618 
Introduced by  
REPRESENTATIVE PANTALEON D. ALVAREZ 
AN ACT 
CREATING A TRIBAL BARANGAY TO BE KNOWN AS BARANGAY 
MESOLONG FROM THE EXISTING ANCESTRAL DOMAIN IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF TALAINGOD, PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL 
NORTE  
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippine 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Creation. – Tribal Barangay Mesolong is hereby created 
out of the existing ancestral domain classified by the National Commission 
on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in the Municipality of Talaingod, Province 
of Davao Del Norte. The creation of the said Tribal Barangay is in 
recognition of aspirations and self-determination of the predominant 
Langilan-Ata Manobo tribal population in the ancestral mentioned to 
enhance the delivery of basic services to the said tribal population. 
SECTION 2. Territory. – The territorial jurisdiction or metes and 
bound of Barangay Mesolong to be created shall be the same as that of the 
territorial jurisdiction of the existing ancestral domain in the Municipality 
of Talaingod, Davao Del Norte.  


 
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SECTION 3. Plebiscite. – The creation of Barangay Mesolong in the 
Municipality of Talaingod shall take effect when approved by a majority of 
the votes cast in a plebiscite called for the purpose in the existing ancestral 
domain in the Municipality of Talaingod. Said plebiscite shall be conducted 
within one (1) month from the date of effectivity of this law. 
 
 
SECTION 4. Public Infrastructures and Facilities. – All existing public 
infrastructures and facilities for public use existing therein at the time of 
the approval of this Act are hereby transferred without cost or 
compensation to and shall be administered by the new barangay. 
 
 
SECTION 5. National Tax Allotment Share. – Barangay Mesolong shall 
be entitled to National Tax Allotment shares pursuant to Section 285 of 
Republic Act No. 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 
1991. 
 
 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. – If any part of provision of this Act 
be considered as unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected shall 
remain valid and in full effect.  
 
SECTION. 7. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, 
rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 8. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
 
Approved,