Extension of Provincial Government Act to Leyte

April 22, 1901

ACT NO. 121

AN ACT EXTENDING THE PROVISIONS OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT ACT TO THE PROVINCE OF LEYTE

SECTION 1. All the provisions of an Act entitled "A general Act for the organization of provincial governments in the Philippine Islands," enacted February sixth, nineteen hundred and one, shall apply to and govern the establishment of a provincial government in that territory in the Island of Leyte and adjoining islands known as the Province of Leyte, under Spanish sovereignty, with such exceptions, modifications, and supplementary provisions as are hereinafter contained.

SECTION 2. The compensation to be paid provincial officers of the Province of Leyte shall be at the following rate per year, money of the United States:

For the provincial governor, two thousand dollars;

For the provincial secretary, one thousand five hundred dollars;

For the provincial treasurer, two thousand five hundred dollars;

For the provincial supervisor, two thousand dollars;

For the provincial fiscal, one thousand six hundred dollars.

The salary of provincial officers shall be payable monthly, so that one-twelfth of the annual salary shall be paid on the last day of each calendar month.

Each provincial officer shall be allowed his necessary and actual traveling expenses, not exceeding two dollars and fifty cents per day, while absent from the capital of the province on official business. The allowance shall be made by the provincial board upon the certificate of the officer that the travel was necessary for the public business, and shall not be paid until the account, accompanied by the resolution of the board approving the same, shall be forwarded to the Insular Treasurer and by him approved.

SECTION 3. The bond of the provincial treasurer shall be twenty thousand dollars, until the first day of March, nineteen hundred and two, when, in view of the collection of the land tax, the Commission may require a new bond or an additional bond to cover the probable increase of the funds of which the provincial treasurer shall have custody at any one time. The bond to be given shall be conditioned to secure on the part of the provincial treasurer that he shall account for the internal-revenue collections coming into his hands as internal-revenue collector, the taxes collected by him for each municipality, for the province, and for the Central Government. The form of the bond shall be prescribed by the Insular Treasurer. If, upon the request of the Commission, the Military Governor shall detail any military officer to fill a provincial office, no bond shall be required of him and no salary shall be paid him until after July first, nineteen hundred and one.

SECTION 4. The presidents or alcaldes of the municipalities of the province shall meet on the third Monday in January, April, July and October to consider the improvements needed in the province and for the provincial government, and to make recommendations to the provincial board. The convention shall be called together by the provincial secretary and shall elect a chairman for each quarter's session. The provincial secretary shall act as secretary of the convention, and shall certify its recommendations to the provincial board.

SECTION 5. The capital of the province shall be, as formerly, at the town of Tacloban.

SECTION 6. The oath of office may be administered to the provincial officers by a member of the Commission, by the governor of the province, or by any judicial officer having jurisdiction in the province.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on its passage.

ENACTED, April 22, 1901.