QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 1411)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 1411 is to appropriate funds for public works projects as part of the long-range program of capital improvements, short-term projects, school building programs, and other authorized public works in the Philippines for the fiscal years 1955-1956.
School building projects with funds amounting to four thousand pesos or more shall be executed through public bidding in accordance with the usual contract procedures of the Bureau of Public Works. If there are no bidders or if the project can be done at lower cost, it may be executed by administration with approval from the highway district engineer and with preference given to Parent-Teacher Associations.
Parent-Teacher Associations are authorized to undertake school building projects by administration in the absence of bidders or if the project can be done at lower cost, with the intervention of the District Highway Engineer only in an advisory capacity. PTAs may also supply local construction materials where advantageous.
Projects of local character for rural areas undertaken by administration are declared as self-help projects. Laborers employed on such projects shall receive wages not less than those prescribed for agricultural laborers and preference shall be given to agricultural laborers in employment.
No laborer shall be employed nor money spent on any public works project during the 45-day period before a general election, except for work awarded by contract before or during the period, payment for preparatory work, and emergency work due to public calamity.
Provincial engineering surcharges on projects under this Act shall not exceed four percent.
A program of work including total cost of materials and labor, anticipated duration in man-days, margin for contingencies (not more than 10% for administration or 15% for contract work), and reasonable profit if contracted. The program must be approved by the Bureau Head before commencement of work.
No, the appropriations cannot be used to pay for obligations previously incurred, purchase of office equipment, supplies, automobiles or station wagons, nor for salaries except for employees directly connected with the project.
All government contracts must include a provision allowing for adjustment of the contract amount if taxes, duties, labor wages or hours change during the contract period in a way that increases or decreases the cost of materials or labor.
The Commissioner of the Budget is authorized to release the appropriated sums upon request of the Department Head concerned, giving priority to projects under this Act over others except for ordinary government operations.