Title
Appropriation for Public Works Projects 1978
Law
Batas Pambansa Blg. 13
Decision Date
Dec 22, 1978
Batas Pambansa Blg. 50 appropriates funds from the General Fund for various public works and highway projects in the Philippines, providing guidelines for labor procurement, project implementation, and reporting of accomplishments.
A

Appropriation for Water Resources Projects

  • Funds allocated for irrigation, flood control and drainage, and water supply projects.
  • Projects include multi-purpose irrigation developments, flood control structures, and rural water supply.
  • Total appropriations for water resources projects amount to P5,633,000,000.
  • Grand total appropriation under the Act is P9,456,000,000.

Approval of Detailed Plans and Program of Work

  • Prior approval required before starting construction for projects costing over specified thresholds.
  • Approvals by Minister, Bureau Head, Regional Director, or District/City Engineer depending on project cost.
  • Programs of work to include estimates, PERT/CPM scheduling, and monthly cash flows.
  • Ensures continuity by requiring construction only of usable portions.
  • Prohibits project division to circumvent approval process.

Use of Local Labor

  • Unskilled labor to be sourced locally (sitio, barangay, municipality/city).
  • Certified availability required from local officials.
  • Skilled labor to be sourced within the province; specialized skills may be sourced externally.

Labor-Intensive Methods

  • Labor-intensive methods are to be used when technically and economically feasible.
  • Conditions apply: cost not more than 10% over alternatives, duration not more than 50% longer, no adverse effect on agricultural labor.
  • Comparative evaluation of labor-intensive versus alternative methods required prior to construction.
  • Certification of labor-intensive maximization by District or City Engineer.
  • Purchase of hand tools allowed up to 5% of project cost; tools may be sold to workers.

Pre-Construction Planning

  • A general plan of operations must be prepared outlining methods, responsibilities, procedures, and resources required for studies.

Procurement of Materials and Supplies

  • Ministers authorized to procure materials, subject to bidding and auditing.
  • Local procurement by District/City Engineer or Project Manager permitted without prior ministerial approval.
  • No surcharge on procurement services.
  • Expenditures must not exceed approved program of work.

Prosecution of Projects by Administration

  • Projects costing P500,000 or less may be done by administration without bidding.
  • Projects over P500,000 require public bidding, with exceptions allowing administration upon approval.
  • Emergency or urgent need permits administrative prosecution without bidding, subject to ministerial or presidential approval contingent on cost.

Negotiated Contracts

  • Negotiated contracts allowed only if:
    • Public bidding fails to produce acceptable bids;
    • There is an urgent necessity, emergency, or danger to life/property;
    • Additional work contiguous to an ongoing contract within contractor's capacity.
  • Negotiations require ministerial approval for projects up to P2,000,000; presidential approval for higher costs.

Engineering and Administrative Overhead

  • Appropriated funds for project implementation may include engineering and administrative overhead up to 5% of amount released.
  • Personnel and services already funded by regular appropriations reduce overhead expenditures.

Reporting Requirements

  • Bureau/agency heads must submit quarterly accomplishment reports to relevant ministers and government officials.
  • Annual reports to include appropriations released, work accomplished, completion plans, and recommendations.

Separability Clause

  • If any provision is declared unconstitutional, remaining provisions remain effective.

Effectivity

  • The Act takes effect immediately upon approval.

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