Republic Act No. 38

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

Section 1. Commonwealth Act Numbered Five Hundred and eighty

one, otherwise known as the Charter of the four special municipalities of the Province of Romblon, is repealed. Except as hereinafter provided, the regular provincial government of Romblon and the regular municipalities of the Province of Romblon existing prior to the taking effect of the said Act are restored. The capital of the Province of Romblon shall be the municipality of Romblon.

Section 2

A new municipality to be known as the municipality of Santa Fe which shall comprise the barrios of Agcogon, Guimbarayan, Lanas and Santa Fe, formerly comprised within the municipality of Looc prior to the enactment of Commonwealth Act Numbered Five hundred eighty-one, is hereby created.

Section 3

Except as herein otherwise provided, the Revised Administrative Code and other laws applicable to regularly organized provinces and municipalities and to the officers and employees therein shall apply to the Province of Romblon and its municipalities as restored or created, as the case may be, under this Act and to the officers and employees therein.

Section 4

Pending the election of provincial and municipal officials, the offices of the elective officers of the Province of Romblon and its municipalities shall be filled by the appointment by the President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments of the Congress of the Philippines.

Section 5

The funds, properties, debts and obligations of the four special municipalities under Commonwealth Act Numbered Five hundred and eighty-one shall be equitably distributed and apportioned among the Province of Romblon and its municipalities in such proportion as may be approved by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Auditor General. The custody and administration of all properties formerly belonging to the Province of Romblon prior to the taking effect of Commonwealth Act Numbered Five hundred and eighty-one shall be transferred to the provincial government of Romblon. Property formerly belonging to the Province of Romblon prior to the taking effect of Commonwealth Act Numbered Five hundred and eighty-one and transferred to the National Government in accordance with the said Act shall be returned to the provincial government of Romblon for such consideration as may be approved by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Auditor General.

Section 6

This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: October 1, 1946