Question & AnswerQ&A (Act No. 2570.)
The main purpose of Act No. 2570 is to amend sections five and nine of Act No. 1654 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce and Police, with the approval of the Governor-General, to grant permission to use portions of the foreshore or land under water in the Philippine Islands for lawful private purposes, and to regulate the leasing of these lands for commercial uses such as wharves, docks, piers, and marine railways.
The Secretary of Commerce and Police, with the approval of the Governor-General, is authorized to grant permission to use portions of the foreshore or land under water in the Philippine Islands for any lawful private purpose.
The Government can lease portions of the foreshore or lands under water for a term not to exceed ninety-nine years for commercial structures such as wharves, docks, piers, and marine railways.
The Act mentions wharves, docks, piers, marine railways, or other appropriate structures that may be erected and maintained on the leased foreshore or lands under water.
Yes, the lessee's right to erect and maintain structures is subject to all vested rights or easements of owners of lands adjacent to such foreshore or lands under water.
Yes, permission can be revoked at any time if the Secretary of Commerce and Police, in their opinion, deems that the public interests require such revocation.
If the licensee fails to remove the materials within sixty days after notice of revocation, the Secretary of Commerce and Police may cause their removal and charge the expenses to the licensee.
The Director of Public Works, subject to the direction of the Secretary of Commerce and Police, is authorized to enter into contracts with municipalities or provinces to fill lands on or near the foreshore at the expense of those municipalities or provinces.
The municipalities or provinces that have paid for the improvements and filling of lands not privately owned shall have control of and may dispose of the improved lands.
Act No. 2570 took effect immediately upon its passage on February 4, 1916.