Creation and Composition of the Commission on National Integration (CNI)
- A Commission on National Integration is established, consisting of a Chairman and two Associate Commissioners.
- Members are appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments.
- Selection is based on expert knowledge of the customs, social organizations, and the economic, educational, religious, and political problems of National Cultural Minorities.
- The Chairman holds the rank and salary of a Department Secretary and is a Cabinet member.
- Associate Commissioners receive an annual compensation of ₱7,200.
- Necessary employees are appointed under Civil Service Law.
Powers and Functions of the Chairman and Commission Operations
- The Chairman is the chief executive officer, with powers akin to heads of bureaus and offices.
- Work is distributed equitably among Associate Commissioners and employees.
- The Commission meets as a body on special matters, requiring a majority quorum.
- In the absence of the Chairman, the senior Associate Commissioner acts as Chairman; the President may designate an Acting Chairman if both are absent.
Powers, Functions, and Duties of the Commission
- Engage in and establish industrial and agricultural enterprises and cottage industries, with eventual sale to National Cultural Minorities at cost.
- Construct, operate, and maintain irrigation, power plants, and electric systems for unserved areas.
- Cooperate with government agricultural entities to improve farming methods.
- Facilitate land settlement for landless National Cultural Minorities through homesteads or resettlement projects.
- Establish more public schools in minority regions and encourage attendance.
- Initiate construction of rural feeder or farm roads.
- Promote community life by organizing civic centers, clubs, fairs, and disseminating information.
- With Presidential approval, contract loans from government-controlled institutions.
- Lease or own real and personal property as necessary and dispose of the same.
- Assist in education, training, and employment of National Cultural Minorities.
- Grant and promote scholarships locally and abroad; related funds transferred from the Office of the President.
- Aid minority municipal district governments and improve their organization.
- Advance the agricultural, industrial, social development and civilization progress of National Cultural Minorities.
Custodianship of Public Lands
- The Commission is custodian and administrator of public lands reserved or to be reserved for National Cultural Minorities.
- Lands include those for settlement, townsites, roads, and agricultural lands surveyed and subdivided under Commonwealth Act No. 691, as amended.
Assistance from Other Government Agencies
- The Commission may request assistance from any government department, subdivision, agency or government-owned corporation.
- The President may detail any officer or employee for permanent duty to the Commission.
Appropriation and Funds
- ₱5 million appropriated from the National Treasury for:
- ₱300,000 for salaries, equipment, and expenses of the Commission.
- ₱1 million for social development, aid to municipal district governments, and scholarships (₱150,000 allocated for scholarships).
- ₱1 million for an Agricultural and Industrial Revolving Fund for enterprises and marketing.
- ₱1 million for an Electric Light, Heat, and Power System Fund for rural electrification.
- ₱1.7 million for a Farmers' Revolving Fund for loans to settlers, farmers, and cooperatives.
- Net income from projects is reinvested into the respective revolving funds.
- Annual appropriation of ₱5 million for ten years, to be equally shared by the revolving funds.
Restrictions on Officers and Employees
- Prohibited from acquiring land within land settlement projects; violation leads to removal and fines (₱1,000 to ₱5,000).
- Prohibited from financial interest in contracts with the Commission; violation leads to dismissal and fines (up to ₱5,000).
- Prohibited from becoming guarantors, endorsers, or sureties for loans; violation leads to removal and fines (₱1,000 to ₱5,000).
- Forbidden from charging fees or commissions for loan facilitation; violators fined ₱500 to ₱3,000.
Free Services by Notaries and Registers of Deeds
- Justices of the peace, as notaries, provide free services for loan documentation (for loans not exceeding ₱500).
- Registers of deeds must register loan instruments free of charge (for loans not exceeding ₱500).
- Penalties for officials demanding fees include fines up to ₱1,000.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect immediately upon approval.