The Charter of Bicol Autonomous Region

THE CHARTER OF BICOL AUTONOMOUS REGION

PreambleWe, the Bicolanos , imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to establish a just andhumane society and a Bicol Autonomous Region that will embody our ideals andaspirations, within the authority of the Constitution and national sovereignty, in order tosecure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of regional autonomy, democracy,equality, justice, peace, and the right to self-determination, do ordain and promulgate thisCharter of the Bicol Autonomous Region.ARTICLE IName and PurposeSection 1. There is hereby created an autonomous region in Bicol to be known as the"Bicol Autonomous Region."Section 2. It is the purpose of this proposed Charter to establish the Bicol AutonomousRegion, to provide its basic structure of government within the framework of theConstitution and national sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Republic of thePhilippines, and to ensure the equality, justice and peace before the law of all theinhabitants in the Bicol Autonomous Region, maximize and expedite the development of the region through an autonomous set-up, and ensure proper and sustainable utilization of its natural endowments.ARTICLE IIThe Bicol Autonomous RegionREGIONAL TERRITORY AND SEAT OF GOVERNMENTSection 1. The Bicol Autonomous Region shall be composed of all provinces and citieswithin the territory of the Bicol region consisting of the provinces of Albay, CamarinesNorte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon and the chartered city of Naga.Section 2. Upon the approval of this Charter, a Regional Legislative Assembly shall beestablished and hereinafter referred to as the Regional Assembly. It, by the authority of law, shall fix the permanent seat of government of the Bicol Autonomous Region, takinginto consideration geographical location, accessibility and efficiency in carrying out itsmandate under this Charter: Provided, that the regional seat of the Bicol AutonomousRegional Government shall be in Legazpi City, Albay.ARTICLE IIIGUIDING PRINCIPLES AND POLICIESSection 1. The area of the Bicol Autonomous Region shall remain an integral andinseparable part of the national territory of the Republic of the Philippines as defined bythe Constitution and existing laws.The inhabitants of the Bicol Autonomous Region shall uphold the Constitution as thefundamental law of the land and unequivocally owe allegiance and fidelity to theRepublic of the Philippines.The Bicol Autonomous Region shall be governed and administered in accordance withthis Charter upon the approval of the Congress of the Republic of the Philippines.

Section 2. The Bicol Autonomous Regional Government shall adopt peaceful means of settling conflicts and renounce any form of violence and any form of secessionism as aninstrument of redress.Section 3. The Bicol Autonomous Regional Government shall adopt a policy on localautonomy whereby regional powers shall be devolved to local government units whereappropriate: Provided, however, that until a regional law implementing this provision isenacted, the Local Government Code shall be applicable.Section 4. Highly urbanized cities within the Bicol Autonomous Region shall continue tobe governed by their charters. Nothing in this Charter shall be construed as to diminishthe powers and functions already enjoyed by these cities.Section 5. The Bicol Autonomous Regional Government shall adopt measures for thedemocratic sharing of wealth, power and opportunities among the inhabitants of theRegion regardless of ethnic origin, creed, sex, language, political conviction, economic orsocial status.Section 6. The Bicol Autonomous Regional Government shall ensure the right of itsinhabitants to participate and be equitably represented at appropriate levels of social,economic, political decision-making and in the formulation, implementation, andmonitoring of local, regional, and national priorities, plans, and programs.Section 7. The Bicol Autonomous Regional Government shall safeguard equalopportunities to all qualified inhabitants of the Region to run for public office; therebyprohibiting any form of political dynasty, in harmony with the policies stated in theConstitution and as defined in this Charter.Effective, efficient, and transparent election shall be protected by the Bicol AutonomousRegional Government to maintain the integrity of the vote and the sanctity of suffrage.Section 8. The Bicol Autonomous Regional Government shall adopt educational policiesthat are responsive to and reflective of the special needs of its inhabitants, with duerespect to the beliefs, customs and traditions of the inhabitants of the Region.Section 9. The Bicol Autonomous Regional Government shall undertake measures toimprove the well-being of all its inhabitants, particularly the marginalized, deprived,disadvantaged, underprivileged, and the physically and mentally challenged.Section 10. Subject to the provisions of the Constitution and of this Charter, and thenational development policies and programs, the Bicol Autonomous RegionalGovernment shall exercise regulation and control in the exploration, development andutilization of its natural resources: Provided, that these natural resources are within theterritorial jurisdiction of the Bicol Autonomous Region. Provided, further that thesenatural resources be put to optimum and sustainable use primarily for the benefit of theinhabitants.Section 11. The Bicol Autonomous Region shall provide manpower training programs,create livelihood and job opportunities, allocate equitable rights to its inhabitants, andadopt laws that will safeguard the rights of workers.Section 12. The Bicol Autonomous Regional Government shall safeguard the basic rightsto life, liberty, and property of all the inhabitants of the Region in accordance with theguarantees of the Constitution.Section 13. The Bicol Autonomous Regional Government shall provide, maintain, andensure the delivery of basic health, education and social services.

Section 14. The Bicol Autonomous Regional Government shall provide incentives forprompt payment of taxes.Section 15. The Bicol Autonomous Regional Government shall, in accordance with theConstitution and existing laws, establish rules and guidelines for the development,management, and maintenance of all possible energy production, public transportation,and communication, with the aid of contemporary technologies.Section 16. The Bicol Autonomous Regional Government, taking into consideration thegeographical location of the Region and its vulnerability to various natural calamities,shall promote consciousness, initiate continuous studies and research, and maintainmodern observatories, as well as adequate equipage geared towards disaster preparednessand mitigation responses.ARTICLE IVDevolution of PowersThe powers devolved to the Bicol Autonomous Region shall be exercised through theRegional Assembly, the Regional Governor, and the special courts as provided in thisCharter.ARTICLE VPowers of GovernmentSection 1. The Bicol Autonomous Regional Government shall exercise powers andfunctions necessary for the proper governance and development of all the constituentunits within the Bicol Autonomous Region consistent with the constitutional policy onregional and local autonomy and decentralization: Provided, that nothing herein shallauthorize the diminution of powers and functions already enjoyed by local governmentunits.Section 2. The Bicol Autonomous Region is a corporate entity with jurisdiction in allmatters devolved to it by the Constitution and this Charter as herein enumerated:1. Administrative organization;2. Full management and creation of revenues such as collection and distribution;3. Full management and development of ancestral domains and natural resources;4. Personal, family and property relations;5. Full management and development of regional, urban and rural areas;6. Full management and development of economic, social, and tourism potentials andresources;7. Full management and development of educational policies;8. Full management and development of social justice;9. Preservation and development of culture and the arts;10. Powers, functions and responsibilities now being exercised by the departments of theNational Government except:1. Foreign affairs;2. National defense and security;3. Postal service;4. Coinage, and fiscal and monetary policies;5. Quarantine;6. Customs and tariff;