Defining Further the Role of Barangays (Citizens Assemblies)

January 7, 1973

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 86-B

DEFINING FURTHER THE ROLE OF BARANGAYS (CITIZENS ASSEMBLIES)

WHEREAS, since their creation pursuant to the Presidential Decree No. 86 dated December 31, 1972, the Barangays (Citizens Assemblies) have petitioned the Office of the President to submit to them for resolution important national issues; HAEDIS

WHEREAS, one of the questions persistently mentioned refers to the ratification of the Constitution proposed by the 1971 Constitutional Convention;

WHEREAS, on the basis of the said petitions, it is evident that the people believe that the submission of the proposed Constitution to the Citizens Assemblies or Barangays should be taken as a plebiscite in itself in view of the fact that freedom of. debate has always been limited to the leadership in political, economic and social fields, and that it is now necessary to bring this down to the level of the people themselves through the Barangays or Citizens Assemblies;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the-powers in me vested by the Constitution, do hereby order that important national issues shall from, time to time be referred to the Barangays (Citizens Assemblies) for resolution in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 86-A dated January 5, 1973 and, that the initial referendum shall include the matter of ratification of the Constitution proposed by the 1971 Constitutional Convention. IASEca

The Secretary of the Department of Local Governments and Community Development shall insure the implementation of this Order.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 7th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Seventy-Three.