Question & AnswerQ&A (Act No. 219)
The Collector of Customs is authorized to select one responsible person or company to handle the landing of passengers and their baggage from incoming ships at the port of Manila for hire, and to issue an exclusive license for this purpose for one year.
The Collector of Customs must advertise for bids, and select the person or company offering to do the work at the lowest prices who is also of good character and responsible in the opinion of the Collector.
They must enter into a bond with the Philippine Government ensuring sufficient equipment for landing passengers and baggage, guaranteeing the landing of all passengers and baggage for the year, and promising to pay for any losses due to negligence.
The bond ensures that the selected party will properly perform their duties, maintain sufficient equipment, and compensate for any losses or negligence during the landing of passengers and baggage.
Yes, passengers retain the right to recover for personal injury in the ordinary tribunals, as stated in the proviso of Section 2.
No, Section 3 explicitly states that nothing in the Act prevents the gratuitous landing of passengers and baggage; it only limits paid landing services to the licensed person or company.
The word "person" includes an individual, a firm, or a company authorized to perform the landing services.
The Collector has complete supervision, can make reasonable regulations, and may revoke the license for breach of contract or regulations, awarding a new contract to another qualified person as per Section 4.
The Collector must fix the bond amount and approve its sufficiency before the licensee commences duties.
The Act took effect immediately upon its passage on September 5, 1901.