QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 6538)
RA 6538 appropriates three hundred million pesos to cover expenditures caused by typhoons, rains, and floods in June and July 1972, for repairs of public works and relief to indigent victims, plus rehabilitation of small farms, among others.
The appropriation is for calamities that occurred in the Philippines in the months of June and July, 1972.
Assistance includes food, medicines, shelter and clothing at not exceeding P100 per head of family and P100 for each dependent, plus assistance for rehabilitation of small farms.
Not exceeding one hundred pesos (P100) per head of family and one hundred pesos (P100) for each dependent.
Funds must be released, spent, and actually disbursed not later than March 31, 1973; no funds may be expended beyond that date. Unexpended balances revert to the General Fund, except for on-going projects started before March 31, 1973, whose disbursements may be authorized until but not beyond June 30, 1973.
Relief/direct assistance under sub-items (c) (Department of Social Welfare) and (g) (other national offices and agencies) must be released, spent, and actually disbursed within a period not later than September 30, 1972.
It refers to the movement of cash from the Government to the final recipient.
Relief extended with public funds or officially by government officials and personnel shall not bear any marking or identification attributing the same as coming from any public official or private individual.
Not more than five percent (5%) of the amount appropriated herein, or the total released at any one time, may be utilized for personal services and administrative and other operational expenses.
Relief must be extended equitably and as fast as possible directly to calamity victims based on need and available resources, without regard for political, religious, social, or other considerations.
The Department of Public Works and Communications receives P120,000,000, with priority to dams, dikes, bridges, and riprapping.
Thirty million pesos is for repair of streets and drainage in Greater Manila (Manila, Caloocan, Quezon City, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, and Pasay). Not more than fifteen million pesos may be allocated for repair and reconstruction of projects in other municipalities/cities that suffered destruction, losses, and damages due to the calamities.
P20,000,000 is set aside for seedlings and fertilizers; P30,000,000 is for loans to farmers administered by the National Food and Agriculture Council.
The Central Bank is to make available P40,000,000 to rural banks in affected areas for loans and guarantees under Central Bank rules and regulations to channel funds to the greatest number of persons affected.
The Department of Education receives P20,000,000 for repairing or replacing books, school equipment, facilities and supplies, including school buildings, damaged or destroyed.
A Joint Senate-House Committee is created to watch over disbursement and use of funds. Implementing heads must submit: (1) a report within the first ten days of every month on funds released; and (2) within fifteen days from the end of every quarter, a report on progress/status of work during the preceding quarter.
It may scrutinize reports and take measures it deems appropriate to protect the public interest regarding disbursement and expenditures, including taking necessary measures for prosecution of parties responsible for violations.
They may be criminally liable subject to the Penal Code. If the violation is not covered by the Penal Code, the guilty party is subject to a fine of P1,000 and imprisonment of not less than six (6) months or more than one (1) year, without prejudice to administrative action.
It takes effect upon its approval (approved August 8, 1972).