An Act Appropriating the Sum of Fifty Thousand Pesos for the Establishment, in that Part of the Philippine Islands Inhabited by Moros or Other Non-Christian Tribes, of Colonies and Plantations for the Cultivation of Rice and Other Food Cereals, for the Better Distribution of the Population, and for Other Purposes

August 23, 1913

ACT NO. 2280

AN ACT APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, IN THAT PART OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS INHABITED BY MOROS OR OTHER NON-CHRISTIAN TRIBES, OF COLONIES AND PLANTATIONS FOR THE CULTIVATION OF RICE AND OTHER FOOD CEREALS, FOR THE BETTER DISTRIBUTION OF THE POPULATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SECTION 1. There is hereby appropriated out of any funds in the Insular Treasury not otherwise appropriated the sum of fifty thousand pesos for the purpose of establishing a fund which shall be known as the "Moro and Non-Christian Colonization and Plantation Fund."

SECTION 2. This fund shall be used solely for the establishment, equipment, maintenance and operation, in that part of the Philippine Islands inhabited by Moros or other non-Christian tribes, of colonies and plantations on public lands, including transportation of colonists, for the cultivation of rice and other agricultural products, the purposes of which shall be:

(a) To increase the production in that part of the Philippine Islands inhabited by Moros or other non-Christian tribes of rice and other agricultural products which at present are imported in large quantities for local consumption.

(b) To equalize the distribution of population in that part of the Philippine Islands inhabited by Moros or other non-Christian tribes.

(c) To afford opportunity to colonists to become landed proprietors, and to bring under cultivation extensive wild public lands.

SECTION 3. The fund created by this Act shall be under the control of the Governor-General, who, through his representatives, shall have the direction of all disbursements therefrom and of all transactions connected with the establishment, equipment, maintenance, and operation of the colonies and plantations hereinbefore authorized. All repayments to said fund and receipts from the operation of said colonies and plantations shall be covered into the Insular Treasury and accrue to the fund created by this Act, and shall be available for the disbursement in the same manner and for the same purpose as those for which the original fund is created.

SECTION 4. The representative of the Governor-General having in charge the execution of the purposes of this Act shall make report to the Philippine Commission semiannually of the methods followed and the results obtained, such reports to be submitted on the thirty-first day of December and the thirtieth day of June, respectively, of each year.

SECTION 5. As rapidly as possible laborers desiring to avail themselves of the opportunities afforded by this Act shall be located upon homesteads, and steps taken looking to the acquisition of titles thereto by the respective laborers.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on its passage.

ENACTED, August 23, 1913.