An Act Providing for the Establishment of Local Civil Governments for the Negritos in the Province of Bataan

December 4, 1902

ACT NO. 548

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL CIVIL GOVERNMENTS FOR THE NEGRITOS IN THE PROVINCE OF BATAAN

SECTION 1. Whereas the Negritos of the Province of Bataan 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 these Negritos to appoint officers from among them, to fix their designations 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."

SECTION 2. Subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, the provincial governor is further authorized, when he deems such a course necessary in the interest of law and order, to direct such Negritos to take up their habitation on sites on unoccupied public lands to be selected by him and approved by the provincial board. Negritos 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 Negritos of his province to acquire 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 Bataan any settlement of Negritos 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.