An Act to Amend Act Numbered Twenty-Five Hundred and Ten, Entitled "An Act for The Purpose of Establishing A Public Welfare Board for The Philippine Islands, and Defining Its Powers, Functions, and Duties," and for Other Purposes

February 18, 1918

ACT NO. 2745

AN ACT TO AMEND ACT NUMBERED TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED AND TEN, ENTITLED "AN ACT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING A PUBLIC WELFARE BOARD FOR THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, AND DEFINING ITS POWERS, FUNCTIONS, AND DUTIES," AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SECTION 1. Section one of Act Numbered Twenty-five hundred and ten, entitled "An Act for the purpose of establishing a Public Welfare Board for the Philippine Islands, and defining its powers, functions, and duties," is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SECTION 1. There is hereby created, within the powers and limitations hereinafter specified a board, which shall be known as the Public Welfare Board for the Philippine Islands, and shall belong to the Department of the Interior."

SECTION 2. Section two of the same Act is amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 2. The purpose of said Board shall be to study, coordinate, and regulate as far as possible and practicable, the efforts of all Government agencies and influences interested in public welfare or social service work, and of such private agencies or organizations as receive Government support for similar ends, to secure as far as possible a wise expenditure of all Government funds appropriated for charity and all public welfare purposes; to promote, inspect, and regulate the organization of private institutions for charitable purposes, and to investigate social conditions in the Philippine Islands with a view to relief or other remedy where necessary."

SECTION 3. Section three of the same Act is amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 3. The Public Welfare Board shall consist of five members, two of whom shall be physicians, and who shall all be citizens of the Philippine Islands or of the United States, and residents of the Philippine Islands. They shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior to hold office for a term of three years, and shall serve without compensation, except as hereinafter provided. The Secretary of the Interior shall designate from among the members of the Board a chairman and a secretary."

SECTION 4. Section four of the same Act is amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 4. The Public Welfare Board shall, under the immediate control, direction, and executive supervision of the Secretary of the Interior, have the following powers and duties:

"(a) To receive and appropriate such sums or properties as may be provided by law or raised through public contribution to take care of charity cases, or for other general public welfare purposes;

"(b) To maintain an office in the city of Manila for the conduct of the business of the Public Welfare Board, for the investigation of social conditions, and the dissemination of publications tending to promote the betterment thereof;

"(c) To establish and maintain, within the provisions of existing law, social centers and other agencies, with suitable personnel, for the public welfare in such places as may be determined, and to expend for the support of the same such sums as may be necessary;

"(d) To be an advisory committee to the Secretary of the Interior in all matters pertaining to public charity and welfare;

"(e) To appoint and organize committees of citizens to help it in its work and to coordinate public and private efforts for public welfare and social service, and

"(f) To submit to the Department head an annual report on all its operations and activities during the year and a statement of the funds received and expenses authorized or incurred during said period."

SECTION 5. Section six of the same Act is amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 6. The Secretary of the Public Welfare Board shall receive an annual salary not to exceed three thousand pesos, in the discretion of the Secretary of the Interior; and in case an officer or employee of the Government is appointed to the office mentioned, such officer or employee may receive such additional compensation as the Secretary of the Interior may assign to him, not to exceed three thousand pesos. He shall keep the records of the Board and perform such other duties and functions as the Secretary of the Interior or the Board may designate."

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

Approved: February 18, 1918.