Question & AnswerQ&A (Act No. 156)
Act No. 156 provides for the establishment of a biological laboratory, a chemical laboratory, and laboratories for the production of vaccine virus, serums, and prophylactics.
Both the biological and chemical laboratories shall be situated in Manila.
The biological laboratory shall investigate, report on causes, pathology, diagnostics, and combating diseases of humans, domesticated animals, animals used for food, and useful plants, and perform other biological work as deemed necessary by relevant government agencies.
The chemical laboratory investigates and reports on the purity of foods and drinks, composition and properties of gums, resins, drugs, herbs, soils, fertilizers, minerals, minero-medicinal waters, and other chemical matters as requested by various government agencies.
The Board of Health for the Philippine Islands may advise, and the central legislative body shall determine additional points in the Archipelago for these laboratories.
The Superintendent, earning four thousand dollars per year, is responsible for construction, equipment, purchasing apparatus, supplies, and books, and preparing plans and estimates for government laboratories.
The Superintendent must submit a written annual report to the Chief Executive of the Insular Government by June 30, detailing work accomplished and financial statements for the preceding twelve months.
Directors are appointed by the Commission; one serves as Superintendent. The other director receives an annual salary of three thousand five hundred dollars, with both being experts conducting original investigations.
Directors appoint laboratory employees subject to the Civil Service Act and Act Numbered Twenty-five, prescribing their duties and assigning necessary laboratory resources.
Upon request from a department head, the laboratory director must provide for special investigations either personally, through employees, or by allowing qualified employees of the requesting department to conduct such investigations under supervision.