Amendment to R.A. No. 911 Re: Tariff Commission
Republic Act No. 1196, enacted on August 25, 1954, amends Republic Act No. 911, which established a Tariff Commission. The amendment introduces Section 18-A, granting the President the authority to adjust import duty rates—decreasing them by up to 60% or increasing them by as much as ten times—based on recommendations from the commission. This power is intended to support national economy, general welfare, and defense, and remains effective until modified by Congress or expires on December 31, 1955. The Act took effect upon its approval and was published in the Official Gazette in October 1954.
August 25, 1954
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1196
AN ACT TO AMEND REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED NINE HUNDRED ELEVEN, ENTITLED "AN ACT CREATING A TARIFF COMMISSION, DEFINING ITS POWERS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES," BY INSERTING BETWEEN SECTIONS EIGHTEEN AND NINETEEN OF SAID ACT A NEW SECTION TO BE KNOWN AS SECTION EIGHTEEN-A
SECTION 1. Republic Act Numbered Nine hundred eleven is hereby amended by inserting between sections eighteen and nineteen thereof a new section to be known as section eighteen-A which shall read as follows:
"Sec. 18-A. The President, upon prior investigation by and recommendation of the commission, is hereby empowered to decrease by not more than sixty per centum or to increase by not more than ten times the rates of import duty however established when in his judgment such reduction or increase is necessary in the interest of national economy, general welfare, and national defense, any other provision of this Act to the contrary notwithstanding: Provided, That such rates shall be effective until modified by Congress: Provided, further, That the authority herein granted to the President shall expire on December thirty-one, nineteen hundred and fifty-five."
SECTION 2. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved: August 25, 1954
Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 50, No. 10, p. 4652 in October 1954