An Act Providing for the Establishment of Local Civil Government for the Non-Christian Tribes in the Province of Ilocos Norte

August 27, 1903

ACT NO. 855

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL CIVIL GOVERNMENT FOR THE NON-CHRISTIAN TRIBES IN THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE

SECTION 1. Whereas the non-Christian tribes in the Province of Ilocos Norte have not progressed sufficiently in civilization to make it practicable to bring them under any form of municipal government, the provincial governor is authorized, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, in dealing with those non-Christian tribes to appoint officers from among them, to fix their designation and badges of office, and to prescribe their powers and duties: Provided, That the powers and duties thus prescribed shall not be in excess of those conferred upon township officers by Act Numbered Three hundred and eighty-seven, entitled "An Act providing for the establishment of local civil governments in the townships and settlements of Nueva Vizcaya." cHDAIS

SECTION 2. Subject to the approval of the Secretary of Interior, the provincial governor is further authorized, when he deems such a course necessary in the interest of law and order, to direct members of such tribes to take up their habitations on sites on unoccupied public land to be selected by him and approved by the provincial board. Members of such tribes who refuse to comply with such directions shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned for a period not exceeding sixty days.

SECTION 3. The constant aim of the governor shall be to aid the non-Christian tribes of this province to acquire the knowledge and experience necessary for successful local popular government, and his supervision and control over them shall be exercised to this end and to the end that law and order and individual freedom shall be maintained.

SECTION 4. When in the opinion of the provincial board of Ilocos Norte any settlement of non-Christian tribes has advanced sufficiently to make such a course practicable, it may be organized under the provisions of sections one to sixty-seven, inclusive, of Act Numbered Three hundred and eighty-seven, as a township, and the geographical limits of such township shall be fixed by the provincial board.

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, August 27, 1903.