Title
1955 Public Works Appropriation Act
Law
Republic Act No. 1411
Decision Date
Sep 10, 1955
The Public Works Appropriation Act of 1956 allocates funds for various public works projects in the Philippines, including capital improvements, waterworks, school buildings, and portworks, while also outlining guidelines for project execution and administration.
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Appropriation for Short-term Projects

  • Appropriates funds for short-term public works projects.
  • Waterworks and artesian well projects to be managed by the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority.

Financing School Building Program

  • Authorizes borrowing funds to implement Republic Act No. 836 for school buildings.
  • Borrowing to be done under Republic Acts No. 245 or 1000.

Public Works Funded by Bond Issues

  • Appropriates funds from bond proceeds or loans for public works projects.
  • Allocation and disbursement controlled by the President of the Philippines.

Apportionment of Portworks Special Fund

  • Allocates funds from Portworks Special Fund for port projects.
  • Disbursement managed by the Secretary of Public Works and Communications.

Authority for Parent-Teacher Associations on School Projects

  • School building projects of P4,000 or more must undergo public bidding.
  • If no bids or lower-cost execution possible, can be done by administration with highway engineer approval.
  • Preference given to Parent-Teacher Associations for construction work.
  • Local materials may be used with PTA involvement.

Declaration of Self-help Projects

  • Rural improvement projects done by administration qualify as self-help.
  • Wage rates must comply with laws and preference given to agricultural laborers.

Suspension of Work Before General Elections

  • No labor or funds spent within 45 days before general elections except:
    • Contracted work awarded before or during the period.
    • Payment for preparatory work and emergency work due to calamities.
  • "Takay" or "paquiao" system work is excluded from contract work.

Limitation on Engineering Surcharges

  • Engineering surcharges on projects shall not exceed 4%.

Requirement for Program of Work Before Public Works

  • Engineers must prepare a program including cost, labor, duration, contingencies, and reasonable contractor profit.
  • Contingency margin limited to 10% (administration) or 15% (contract).
  • Approval required from Bureau Head or qualified representative before starting work, except projects costing P4,000 or less.
  • Audits allowed access to work programs and data.

Inclusion of Building Site Purchase in Appropriations

  • Appropriations for building constructions include acquiring/purchasing necessary sites.

Prohibited Uses of Appropriated Funds

  • Funds cannot be used to pay previous obligations or overdrafts.
  • Prohibited to use funds for purchasing office equipment, supplies, automobiles, or station wagons.
  • Salaries only for employees directly connected with the project, unless otherwise provided.

Advance Purchase of Materials for Construction

  • Funds for materials, equipment, and supplies for various construction projects may be pooled and released in lump sums for wholesale purchase.
  • Materials to be distributed based on project needs without reallocating between districts.

Contract Readjustment Clause

  • Contracts must allow adjustment of amounts in case of changes to taxes, duties, labor laws, or wage rates affecting costs.

Status of Five-year Capital Improvement Program

  • The program serves as an official guide for carrying out construction and studies.
  • Used for fund allocation and future project recommendations.

Authority to Collect Tolls

  • Secretary of Public Works and Communications may authorize toll collection for certain projects financed exclusively from tolls.

Reporting Requirements

  • Department Heads must report annually to Congress and President.
  • Reports include project status, expenditures, toll collections, loan amortizations, unemployment relief effect, and recommendations.

Classification of Appropriations as National Funds

  • Funds appropriated by this Act are to be treated as national disbursing funds.
  • All projects are national unless specified as aid to local governments.
  • Projects in City of Manila funded nationally to be handled by the Bureau of Public Works.

Authority for Financial Program Modification

  • President authorized to finance projects programmed for general revenue from bond proceeds under Republic Act No. 1000 if national funds are insufficient.
  • Projects financed by bonds must be certified as self-liquidating, revenue-producing, or likely to become so.

Release of Project Funds

  • Commissioner of the Budget releases appropriated funds upon department request.
  • Priority given to short-term projects before releasing more funds for long-term projects.
  • Exceptions allowed for indivisible projects where full release avoids delays.

Effectivity

  • The Act takes effect immediately upon approval without the President's executive approval.

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