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SEC. 19. Creation, Division or Abolition of Provinces,
Cities, Municipalities or Barangay. – The Regional Assembly may
create, divide, merge, abolish, or substantially alter boundaries
of provinces, cities, municipalities, or barangay in accordance
with the criteria laid down by Republic Act No. 7160, the Local
Government Code of 1991, subject to the approval by a majority
of the votes cast in a plebiscite in the political units directly
affected. The Regional Assembly may prescribe standards lower
than those mandated by Republic Act No. 7160, the Local
Government Code of 1991, in the creation, division, merger,
abolition, or alteration of the boundaries of provinces, cities,
municipalities, or barangay. Provinces, cities, municipalities, or
barangay created, divided, merged, or whose boundaries are altered
without observing the standards prescribed by Republic Act No.
7160, the Local Government Code of 1991, shall not be entitled to
any share of the taxes that are allotted to the local government
units under the provisions of the Code.
The financial requirements of the provinces, cities,
municipalities, or barangay so created, divided, or merged shall
be provided by the Regional Assembly out of the general funds of
the Regional Government.
The holding of a plebiscite to determine the will of the
majority of the voters of the areas affected by the creation, division,
merger, or whose boundaries are being altered as required by
Republic Act No. 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991, shall,
however, be observed.
The Regional Assembly may also change the names of local
government units, public places and institutions, and declare
regional holidays.
SEC. 20. Annual Budget and Infrastructure Funds. – The
annual budget of the Regional Government shall be enacted by
Regional Assembly. Funds for infrastructure in the autonomous
region allocated by the central government or national government
shall be appropriated through a Regional Assembly Public Works
Act.