An Act to Appropriate the Sum of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos for the Relief of Communities and Indigent Sufferers from Typhoons, Floods, or Other Public Calamities

November 29, 1937

COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 239

AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS FOR THE RELIEF OF COMMUNITIES AND INDIGENT SUFFERERS FROM TYPHOONS, FLOODS, OR OTHER PUBLIC CALAMITIES

WHEREAS, in the months of October and November, nineteen hundred and thirty-seven, strong typhoons lashed many provinces of the Philippines; TIaCcD

WHEREAS, said public calamity has wrought tremendous losses to life and property, the cataclysm having been made worse by the floods which followed, wiping away communities and completely destroying permanent public works;

WHEREAS, investigation made by the President himself, has revealed that the situation demands immediate action in order to avoid further grave consequences in the form of famine, epidemics, and desolation;

WHEREAS, in view of the difficulty to itemize expenses, it is more expedient to authorize the President of the Philippines to expend the sum appropriated herein; Now, therefore.

SECTION 1. The sum of five hundred thousand pesos or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby appropriated, out of any funds in the Philippine Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the relief and rehabilitation of communities and/or indigent sufferers from typhoons, floods, or other public calamities, to be expended in the discretion of the President of the Philippines in such manner as he may deem proper and through such official, office, entity, or agency as he may designate.

SECTION 2. All unexpended balances as of June thirty, nineteen hundred and thirty-eight, shall revert to the Philippine Treasury.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved, November 29, 1937.