An Act Authorizing the Improvement of the Port of Cebu

February 16, 1903

ACT NO. 640

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE PORT OF CEBU

SECTION 1. The sum of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, in money of the United States, is hereby appropriated, out of any funds in the Insular Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to be expended in the improvement of the harbor of Cebu, in accordance with the general plans now on file in the office of the Consulting Engineer to the Commission, and subject to such modifications, approved by resolution of the Commission, as he may deem necessary.

SECTION 2. This appropriation shall be applied to dredging, where necessary, in the harbor of Cebu, for the construction of wharves and docks along such part of the south water front of the city of Cebu, as may be designated by the Consulting Engineer to the Commission, and for the reclaiming of such lands as may be required for the use of the public.

All such land or lands, together with such adjoining land or lands as may be property of the Insular Government are hereby reserved for public use, and are to be held subject to such laws as the Philippine Commission may hereafter enact.

SECTION 3. The work herein provided for shall, so far as practicable, be done and the necessary materials purchased by contract or contracts with private individuals or corporations.

SECTION 4. The Consulting Engineer to the Commission shall advertise and contract for doing the work prescribed by this Act, either as a whole or in part as he may deem most advantageous to the public interest. Notice of the letting of contracts shall be advertised thirty days in at least two newspapers, one or more of which shall be printed in the English language, and one in the Spanish language, of general circulation in the Philippine Islands. The Consulting Engineer to the Commission is authorized to reject any or all bids and to waive defects, and if in his opinion the bids are excessive, he may, with the approval of the Secretary of Commerce and Police, purchase material and hire labor and supervise the authorized work.

Paragraphs (b) to (s), inclusive, of section five of Act Numbered Twenty-two shall control the letting of contracts in so far as they are applicable under the Government of the Philippine Islands.

SECTION 5. The Consulting Engineer to the Commission shall prepare plans, specifications, and contracts, and advertise for proposals for the work herein provided for, within not more than sixty days from the date of the passage of this Act.

SECTION 6. The public good requiring the speedy enactment of this bill, the passage of the same is hereby expedited in accordance with section two of "An Act prescribing the order of procedure by the Commission in the enactment of laws," passed September twenty-sixth, nineteen hundred.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on its passage.

ENACTED, February 16, 1903. SDHTEC