Appropriation from the General Fund
- Appropriates P5,263,200.00 from the Philippine Treasury’s General Fund
- Funds the construction, alteration, and improvement of public buildings and other classified or unclassified projects
- Allows for investigation and survey of roads and bridges, and hydraulic investigations
- Subject to approval by the Secretary of Public Works and Communications
Appropriation from the Port Works Fund
- Appropriates funds from the "Port Works Fund" under Act 3592 and Commonwealth Act 130, not otherwise appropriated
- Used for investigation, construction, and improvement of ports, lighthouses, buoys, beacons, airports, landing fields, and aids to navigation
- Covers both national and municipal port projects
- Subject to approval by the Secretary of Public Works and Communications
Reversion of Unexpended Balances
- Unexpended balances from Section 1 appropriations revert to the consolidated General Fund derived from coconut oil excise tax after Dec 31, 1941
- Unexpended balances from Section 2 revert to the General Fund after Dec 31, 1939
- Unexpended balances from Section 3 revert to the Port Works Fund after Dec 31, 1941
- Reverted funds are not available for expenditure without new appropriation by the National Assembly
Toll Roads, Bridges, and Ferries
- President authorized to designate national roads, bridges, or ferries as toll facilities
- Secretary of Public Works and Communications recommends toll rates and manages collection
- Toll revenues used exclusively for repair and maintenance of the facilities
- Toll gates and personnel may be established and employed
- Toll collection may be discontinued by order of the President when no harm to public welfare is established
- Exemptions from toll: US Armed Forces personnel, Philippine Army personnel, police forces, government officials on official business, pedestrians, animal riders, cyclists, motorcyclists, mail vehicles, and animal-drawn vehicles
Distribution and Release of Appropriations
- Certain appropriations in Sections 1, 2, and 3 require the Secretary of Public Works and Communications and President's approval for distribution
- Other appropriations available for expenditure by the Director of Public Works
- Release of funds under Sections 2 and 3 contingent upon certification of sufficient current revenues by the Secretary of Finance and Auditor General
- Construction for National Defense under direction of the Chief of Staff of the Philippine Army overriding other laws
Presidential Authority Over Appropriations
- President authorized to suspend or stop expenditures of any appropriated amounts when public interest demands
- Suspended funds become available for other authorized expenditures as the President determines
Effectivity
- The Act took effect immediately upon approval on June 18, 1938
Amendments
- The Act has been amended by Commonwealth Acts Nos. 390, 475, 506, 562, 610.