Giving the President for a Limited Period Authority to Effect Urgent Reforms and Changes in the Different Executive Departments

December 31, 1935

COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 5

AN ACT GIVING THE PRESIDENT FOR A LIMITED PERIOD AUTHORITY TO EFFECT URGENT REFORMS AND CHANGES IN THE DIFFERENT EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS, AND OFFICES OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR PURPOSES OF ECONOMY AND EFFICIENCY, CREATING A GOVERNMENT SURVEY BOARD AND APPROPRIATING THE NECESSARY FUNDS THEREFORE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SECTION 1. There is hereby created a Government Survey Board composed of three members to be appointed by the President, with the consent of the Commission on Appointments of the National Assembly, from among persons who are not in the Government service. The President shall designate as Secretary of this Board, who shall at the same time be the executive officer thereof, an official of the Government. This Board will make a factual survey of all departments of the public service and submit recommendations to the President concerning reforms in the present organization of the Government, the number and rank of officials and employees that each office should have, a classification of positions which will determine the qualifications of the persons that will occupy them and the nature and extent of their duties and responsibilities, a standardization of salaries and wages, adequate plans for the proper housing of offices, a standard equipment for all offices, and such other matters as may be presented to its consideration by the President. All Government officers and employees shall give the Board all the information, facilities, and assistance which it may require to carry out its work. SEAHID

SECTION 2. The compensation of the members of the Board shall be fixed by the President. The Secretary and Executive Officer of the Board shall select and appoint from among the officers and employees of the Government such officers or employees as may be needed by the Board, with the consent of the respective Heads of Department. To carry out the purposes of this Act, there is hereby appropriated, out of any funds in the Philippine Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of fifty thousand pesos, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to cover the expenses of the Board, including salaries, wages, and sundry expenses.

SECTION 3. In order not to delay reforms in the Government organization that may appear to be urgent, the President is hereby authorized, the provisions of existing laws to the contrary notwithstanding, to effect from time to time, for a period of not more than six months from the date of the approval of this Act, by executive order, such reforms and changes in the different executive departments, bureaus, and offices as he may consider necessary, with power to transfer functions, appropriations, equipment or property, bureaus, offices or personnel from one department, bureau or office to another; classify positions; standardize salaries; eliminate unnecessary personnel; reduce salaries; combine positions; and do whatever is necessary to effect economy and promote efficiency in the Government service. Any action taken by the President pursuant to this authority shall be reported by him to the National Assembly for approval at the next regular session thereof. Such action shall be valid and subsisting until the National Assembly should provide otherwise.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved, December 31, 1935.