Question & AnswerQ&A (Act No. 124)
The purpose of Act No. 124 is to extend the provisions of the Provincial Government Act to the Province of Sorsogon, thereby governing the establishment of provincial government in that territory.
Act No. 124 specifically applies to the Province of Sorsogon, located in the Island of Luzon.
The act extends all provisions of the "General Act for the Organization of Provincial Governments in the Philippine Islands," enacted on February 6, 1901, to the province of Sorsogon.
The provincial governor is paid an annual salary of $1,700 in United States money, payable monthly.
The salary is payable monthly in twelve equal parts, with one-twelfth paid on the last day of each calendar month.
Provincial officers are allowed necessary and actual traveling expenses not exceeding $2.50 per day while absent from the provincial capital on official business.
The provincial board approves the claims upon certification by the officer that the travel was necessary for public business, followed by approval by the Insular Treasurer.
The bond required from the provincial treasurer is $18,000 until March 1, 1902; thereafter, it may be increased to cover the probable increase in funds.
The bond must secure the treasurer's accounting for internal-revenue collections, taxes collected for municipalities, the province, and the Central Government.
No bond is required from military officers detailed to fill provincial offices, and they do not receive salaries until after July 1, 1901.
They convene quarterly on the third Monday of January, April, July, and October to consider provincial improvements and make recommendations to the provincial board.
The provincial secretary calls together the municipal presidents or alcaldes for their quarterly sessions.
The provincial secretary acts as secretary of the convention and certifies its recommendations to the provincial board.
The capital remains at the town of Sorsogon.
The oath may be administered by a member of the Commission, the provincial governor, a judicial officer with jurisdiction, or any U.S. Army officer stationed in the province.
The act took effect immediately upon its passage on April 30, 1901.