Question & AnswerQ&A (Act No. 3871)
The main purpose of Act No. 3871 is to empower the Secretary of Commerce and Communications to work out a plan for the consolidation or coordination of the domestic electrical communication systems or services in the Philippines, and to appropriate funds for expenses related to this effort and the temporary operation of the Bureau of Posts' electrical communications service.
The Secretary of Commerce and Communications is empowered to negotiate and work out a consolidation or coordination plan for electrical communication systems.
The consolidated system may be operated by a new entity under private management subject to government regulation, or by a semi-governmental organization free from general government restrictions.
Any preliminary agreement must be ratified and approved by the Philippine Legislature before it has any binding legal effect.
Provincial and municipal or city governments are represented by officials designated by the Secretary of the Interior.
An amount of forty thousand pesos is appropriated to cover salaries, per diems, traveling expenses, and other related costs, but this fund may only be spent if the entities and interests concerned reach a satisfactory arrangement for consolidation.
The Secretary must submit the plan or a report on negotiations on or before October 1, 1932.
A total of two hundred and forty-five thousand nine hundred forty pesos is appropriated for the temporary administration, operation, maintenance, and repair of radio stations and services in Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Zamboanga, Davao, Cagayan (Misamis), Tacloban, Aparri, and Laoag during 1932.
The funds are to be disbursed by the Director of Posts with the Secretary of Commerce and Communications' approval and cover personnel salaries and miscellaneous expenses related to operations during the year 1932.
The Act took effect upon its approval on November 13, 1931.