10 January, 1983
TODAY IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed into law, in Malacanang, the country’s first comprehensive Local Government Code (Batas Pambansa Bilang 337) which defined the powers and functions of local elective officials, giving them autonomy while decentralizing government powers in barangays, towns, cities and provinces.
Under the Code, the Ministry of Local Government must maintain coordination and consultative arrangements with other ministers and national government offices, exercise supervision over municipalities through the provinces and over barangays through cities and towns.
It was superseded by the present Local Government Code (Republic Act No. 7160), which was passed by Congress on October 10, 1991, during the administration of President Corazon C. Aquino.
(Ref: Philippine News Agency Archives; Photo from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/09/ferdinand-marcos-forced-generals-to-perform-drag-show_n_3042837.html)
