An Act Providing for the Education of Filipino Students as Surveyors

May 22, 1906

ACT NO. 1491

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE EDUCATION OF FILIPINO STUDENTS AS SURVEYORS

SECTION 1. At the beginning of each school year the Director of Education shall certify to the Director of Lands the names of such number of students as may be provided for in the annual appropriation Acts and as may be best qualified to receive and profit by a course of instruction and education in surveying under the direction of the Bureau of Lands for a term of five years. Candidates for such certification shall be not less than seventeen years of age, of sound physical condition, and good moral character; must have such mental qualifications as are obtained by the completion of third year course of high school or normal school; and Nautical School students who may be certified by the principal.

SECTION 2. After certification by the Director of Education, as provided in the preceding section, each student so certified may be appointed as apprentice surveyor in the Bureau of Lands, at an annual compensation of not to exceed two hundred and forty pesos. During the first year from date of appointment, the appointee shall attend either the Nautical School or the School of Arts and Trades at Manila during the forenoons and pursue therein a special course of study to be prescribed by the Director of Education. During the afternoons of school days, as well as during regular office hours on Saturdays, and during school vacation, he shall be employed in the Bureau of Lands, and shall perform such duties as may be assigned to him by the Director of Lands, such as office work, drawing, platting, practical computing, use of instruments, and similar work.

SECTION 3. Upon the completion of one year's service as herein provided, students appointed under this Act shall be examined by the Bureau of Civil Service as to their qualifications for appointment as junior surveyors. Students who fail to pass this examination shall be required to continue their studies in the same status as first year students until such time as they shall pass said examination, or are separated from the service. Each student who qualifies for appointment shall, before receiving such appointment as junior surveyor, be required to sign an agreement, approved by his parents or guardian if he be under twenty-three years of age, to the effect that he will remain with the Bureau of Lands for the term of four years from date of appointment as junior surveyor, and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Director of Lands, unless sooner released by the Director of Lands.

Upon completion of three years' service as junior surveyor in the Bureau of Lands, students shall be examined by the Bureau of Civil Service as to their qualifications for appointment as surveyors. Students qualifying in such examination shall be eligible for appointment as surveyors at such salaries as may be determined by competent authority. Students failing to qualify shall continue on the basis until such time as they shall qualify as surveyors in the manner herein prescribed or until separated from the service.

Upon the expiration of their contracts, students may leave the service of the Government without prejudice.

SECTION 4. Any student separating himself from the service during his term of contract, without the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, shall be debarred thereafter from holding any position in the Philippine Civil Service.

SECTION 5. 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 6. This Act shall take effect on its passage.

ENACTED, May 22, 1906.