LEGISLATION TO PROMOTE THE PEOPLE’S WELFARE
Even before his return from the United States, President Osmeña’s critics
were already looking for an opportunity to charge him with ruling by decree,
with ignoring the prerogatives of Congress, in short, with dictatorship.
Almost the first act of the President, however, was to summon Congress to
a session, which was followed by other special sessions.
Out of these sessions came the following legislative measures, most of
which were initiated and sponsored by the Administration:
PNB rehabilitation:
On July 19, 1945, the President signed Commonwealth Act No. 672,
providing that the Philippine National Bank shall resume business
immediately, taking over the assets of the Banking Division, which had
been organized early after the occupation to provide the first banking
facilities in the Islands.
Salaries and allowances for deceased P. I. fighting men:
On July 24, 1945, the President signed Commonwealth Act No. 675, which
provided for the “immediate payment of salaries and allowances of
deceased Filipino members of the United States Army, United States Navy,
Philippine Scouts, Philippine Army, including duly recognized guerrilla
organizations, and civilian employees of the War and Navy Departments,
and other Departments of the United States Government and of the
Philippine Army.”
Tacloban made port of entry:
To speed the flow of imported goods into the Philippines, especially the
Visayas, the President declared Tacloban, in the Province of Leyte, a port
of entry, by Commonwealth Act No. 677, signed by him on July 31, 1945.
Tacloban has since become a boom town, helping in the return to normalcy
of surrounding areas.
Anti-Tuberculosis work:
On September 24, 1945, the President signed Commonwealth Act No. 681,
appropriating one million pesos for the immediate rehabilitation of the
Philippine Anti-Tuberculosis Society, including the Quezon Institute, and of
other agencies engaged in the fight against and the control of tuberculosis.
Quezon Institute has been reopened and is now taking care of Filipino
fighting men sick with tuberculosis, as well as civilian patients.
VD control:
In order to prevent the spread of venereal diseases, the President, under
Commonwealth Act No. 685, on September 25, 1945 appropriated
P200,000 for such purpose.
People’s Court:
On September 25, 1945, the President signed Commonwealth Act No. 682,
creating a People’s Court and an Office of Special Prosecutors for the
prosecution and trial of crimes against national security committed during
the Second World War. The trial of those accused of giving aid and comfort
to the enemy is now going apace.
Foreign Relations Office:
The President on September 25, 1945, created the Office of Foreign
Relations, which is empowered to handle all matters affecting the relations
of the Government of the Philippines with the United States and foreign
nations, and such other matters of an international character as the
President may consider to place under its charge.
Three months’ advance pay:
On July 28, 1945, the President signed Commonwealth Act No. 676, which
authorized the payment of three months’ advance pay to Officials,
employees and laborers of the Commonwealth Government who had not
received such pay at the outbreak of the war.
Three-month bonus:
To help government employees tide over the difficulties of the post-
liberation months, the President on September 26, 1945, signed
Commonwealth Act No. 686, declaring as bonus the three months’
advance pay authorized in Administrative Order No. 167, dated December
12, 1941. Through this act, all government officials, employees and
laborers were relieved of the burden of reimbursing the three-month
advance pay.
Gratuity to all employees:
The Congress of the Philippines approved a bill to grant back pay to
officials and employees of the National government. Noting that the
legislation had ignored personnel of provincial and municipal governments
as well as of government corporations and other agencies, President
Osmeña issued an Executive Order extending the benefits of back pay in
the form of gratuities and bonuses to all pre-war officials and employees of
the Commonwealth, including those in local governments and other
government agencies.
Catanduanes made a separate province:
This was done under Commonwealth Act No. 687, of September 26, 1945,
which helped to make that provincial government truly more representative.
Pegging of house rentals:
To protect the civilian population, a large portion of which had become
homeless on account of the war, the President took measures to penalize
speculation on rents of buildings destined for dwelling purposes.
Commonwealth Act No. 689, approved on October 15, 1945, provided
among other things, that in a suit for ejection or for the collection of rents
due and payable by virtue of a contract of lease of buildings, the fact that
the rents are unjust and unreasonable shall constitute a valid defense.
Free distribution of land:
Commonwealth Act No. 691, approved on October 15, 1945, provided for
the free distribution, under certain conditions, of lots of 24 hectares each of
agricultural land of the public domain. In the actual distribution, preference
will be given to members of the Philippine Armed Forces and legitimate
guerrillas. To carry out the purposes of the act, the sum of P500,000 was
appropriated.
Farm machinery and tools:
Commonwealth Act No. 694 provided for the creation of the Agricultural
Machinery and Equipment Corporation. This Corporation was recently
organized by the President and a substantial portion of the P10,000,000
fund appropriated for it has been made available. Purchases of the
machinery and equipment to be needed by Filipino farmers have already
been ordered.
Development of hydraulic powers:
Looking forward to supplying hydraulic power for the rich but undeveloped
island of Mindanao, the Osmeña administration approved Commonwealth
Act No. 700, which appropriates the sum of P10,000,000 for the
development of hydraulic power from the Maria Cristina Falls, Province of
Lanao, and for the construction, operation and maintenance of a hydraulic
power plant near the falls. When completed, this project will be comparable
with the biggest power development projects in the world, according to
the Associated Press, in reporting the signing of this measure by President
Osmeña on November 1, 1945. In approving this ambitious plan to bring
about the industrial development of Mindanao, the Osmeña administration
went beyond the immediate needs of reconstruction and took a decisive
step toward the future progress and prosperity of the country.
Protection of infancy, maternity and child health:
On November 1, 1945, President Osmeña signed Commonwealth Act No.
701, which appropriates P500,000 for the resumption of the activities and
functions relative to the protection of early infancy, maternity and child
health. This act made possible the reorganization, as quickly as
practicable, of puericulture centers and maternity houses existing before
the approval of the act and to establish new one in the places where such
institutions are greatly needed. (See public welfare report on progress in
this regard.)
Land tax remission:
Realizing the need for affording relief to owners of lands, many of which
have been ravaged and have therefore been unproductive, President
Osmeña signed Commonwealth Act No. 703 on November 1, 1945. This
act authorizes the remission of all land taxes and penalties due and
payable for the years 1942, 1943, 1944 and 50 per cent of the tax due for
1945. The act declares that the land taxes and penalties due and payable
for the second semester of 1941 shall also be remitted if the remaining 50
percent corresponding to 1945 shall have been paid on or before
December 31, 1945. The act also remits the land taxes on all lands, used
mainly for the construction of any building which has been burned or
destroyed by reason of the war, until another building shall have been
constructed, the period of exemption to last not more than a year.
Municipal maternity and charity clinics:
By signing Commonwealth Act No. 704, President Osmeña authorized the
Director of Health to establish municipal maternity and charity clinics in
municipalities and municipal districts having a population of not more than
8,000 inhabitants. President Osmeña thus extended the benefits of medical
attention to small towns, where such service is needed most. These clinics
shall attend to all obstetrical cases and render free service to indigent
patients certified as such by the municipal treasurer. The sum of P700,000
was appropriated for this purpose.
Aid to Philippine hospitals:
On November 1, 1945, President Osmeña signed Commonwealth Act No.
705, which appropriates the total sum of P3,779,500 as aid to national,
provincial and city hospitals and their dispensaries. When funds become
available for this purpose, all government hospitals and their dispensaries,
in Manila as well as in the provinces, will benefit from this act.
Government Insurance System:
Taking another important step in improving the lot of government
personnel, President Osmeña signed Commonwealth Act No. 706 on
November 1, 1945. This act provides that each and every life insurance
policy issued by the Government Service Insurance System to its members
which was in force as of December 31, 1941, shall be considered in force
notwithstanding the nonpayment of premiums. It also provides that any
policy which matured by death or otherwise, shall become payable to the
insured or his beneficiaries. Four million pesos was appropriated to carry
out the purposes of this act.
Manila Railroad Rehabilitation:
Personnel of the Manila Railroad Company, who like other employees of
government corporations as well as government personnel in genera need
help in order to improve their living conditions during the present
emergency, should take heart from the signing of Commonwealth Act No.
707 on November 1, 1945. The act sets aside the sum of P20,000,000 to
be loaned without interest to the Manila Railroad Company for its
rehabilitation particularly for the purchase of locomotives, cars, rails, ties
and other equipment and accessories of railroad transportation; for the
repair of tracts and bridges; and—this is the significant point—for the
reorganization and salaries of personnel. As quickly as relief funds become
available from the United States, the Manila Railroad Company will be
rehabilitated under this act, and personnel of the company will get the
government aid and support that is their due.
Pensions and retirement gratuities:
On November 1, 1945, President Osmeña signed Commonwealth Act No.
710, which sets aside the amount of P2,000,000 or so much thereof as
may be necessary for the payment of retirement gratuities or pensions of all
persons who under existing laws have been receiving such gratuities or
pensions including payment of pensions or gratuities accruing as of
December 8, 1941. This act reëstablishes the right of beneficiaries, such as
teachers and war veterans, to their pensions and gratuities, payment of
which has been resumed.
Land settlement:
On November 1, 1945, President Osmeña approved Commonwealth Act
No. 711, which appropriates the sum of P5,000,000 to enable the National
Land Settlement Administration to resume its functions. In a subsequent
executive order, the President reconstituted the NLSA and released part of
the original appropriation for the purpose. (See Executive Orders.)
Radio and telegraph reconstruction:
To make possible the speedy reconstruction of destroyed radio and
telegraph installations, President Osmeña signed Commonwealth Act No.
712 on November 1, 1945. This Act appropriates P3,073,820 for the
replacement, maintenance and operation of destroyed or damaged radio
stations and installations in Manila and 36 other key radio communications
center. It also appropriates P1,682,960 for the reconstruction of telegraph
lines and reëstablishment of necessary stations for 11 telegraphic circuits
strategically located throughout the archipelago.
Coöperative Associations:
To encourage the coöperatives movement in the Philippines, President
Osmeña on November 1, 1945, signed Commonwealth Act No. 713,
amending section 5 of Commonwealth Act No. 565. As amended, the
section creates a non-stock National Cooperatives Administration to take
charge of the promotion, organization and supervision of coöperative and
mutual aid associations now existing as well as those which may later be
formed. The sum of P5,000,000 is set aside for the purpose.
Bonus for teachers and low-salaried employees:
By approving Commonwealth Act No. 714, President Osmeña took an
important step in enabling government personnel to meet the relatively high
prices of essential commodities. Effective upon its approval on November
1, 1945, the act provides a monthly bonus, in addition to the basic salaries,
for public school teachers and other low-salaried employees embraced in
Grades 10 to 7 as follows:
(A) For rates in Grades 10, 9 and 8: P30.
(B) For rates in Grade 7: P25 for rate P80; P15 for rate
P90; P5 for rate 100; provided that, a teacher or employee in this grade
receiving salary other than any of the said rates shall be given a monthly
compensation of P105, including bonus. To carry out the purposes of this
act, P16,700,000 has been appropriated.
Reparations Commission:
On November 1, 1945, President Osmeña approved Commonwealth Act
No. 715, which creates a Commission on Reparations to be composed of
five members and which shall act as a fact-finding body as well as an
agency to determine the most appropriate ways and means of securing
indemnity for losses caused by the Japanese Armed Forces. Thus the
Osmeña Administration called into being another agency to see to it that
the Government and the people get properly indemnified for losses
suffered during the war.
Philippine Army Budget:
On November 1, 1945, President Osmeña approved Commonwealth Act
No. 717, with additional sums totalling P52,861,254, for the operation of the
Philippine Army for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1946. Approval of this
budget is one of the measures of recognition of the rôle of the Army in the
defense of the country and in helping to liberate it from the invader.
Agricultural Rehabilitation:
Commonwealth Act No. 718, approved on November 1, 1945, appropriated
P2,941,000 from the Coconut Oil Excise Tax Fund for important activities
under the Department of Agriculture and Commerce. These activities
include: (1) agronomical survey of the Philippines; (2) establishment,
development, improvement, maintenance and operation of agricultural
experiment and demonstration stations; (3) reforestation and afforestation
of watersheds, denuded areas, and cogon or open lands within forest
reserves, communal forests, national parks, timberlands, sand dunes, etc.;
(4) classification, survey and subdivision of agricultural lands of the public
domain, especially those lying along the national highways; (5)
organization, maintenance and operation of a School of Fisheries; and (6)
creation of a Cinchona Plantation Revolving Fund, for the establishment,
cultivation, development, maintenance and operation of cinchona
plantations to feed the quinine and totaquina industry.
Cadastral survey:
On November 1, 1945, President Osmeña approved Commonwealth Act
No. 719, which appropriates P1,700,000 for the rehabilitation of the
Cadastral Survey Revolving Fund.
Animals for breeding purposes:
Commonwealth Act No. 721, approved on November 1, 1945, appropriates
P500,000 to buy locally or import animals for breeding purposes. This
measures is expected to improve the quality the quality of work animals
and promote the cattle industry.
Exchange Standard Fund:
On November 14, 1945, President Osmeña approved Commonwealth Act
No. 724, which amended Sections 162 and 22 of the Administrative Code,
regarding the Exchange Standard Fund, in order to make available to the
Commonwealth Government the sum of approximately P50,000,000. This
important Administration measure released money which, together with
P142,000,000 in Excise Tax Funds released by the U. S. Treasury,
enabled the Government to reopen government offices, pay salaries of
government personnel and carry on the functions of government at a time
when the national income was down to a fraction of what it was before the
war.
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