Philippine Relief and Rehabilitation Administration
Commonwealth Act No. 716, enacted on November 1, 1945, establishes the Philippine Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (PRRA) under the Office of the President. The PRRA is tasked with coordinating relief efforts for war victims, including the provision of essential services and supplies, and planning for the country's rehabilitation in various sectors such as agriculture and industry. It is managed by a Board of Directors led by a Director General, appointed by the President, who oversees the administration’s operations and staff. The Act allocates one million pesos for its establishment and mandates quarterly reporting to the President and Congress. It also dissolves the Emergency Control Administration, transferring its responsibilities to the PRRA.
November 1, 1945
COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 716
AN ACT CREATING THE PHILIPPINE RELIEF AND REHABILITATION ADMINISTRATION
SECTION 1. There is hereby created an Office to be known as the Philippine Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. For administrative purposes this Office shall be under the Office of the President of the Philippines. The President of the Philippines is authorized to effectuate, by Executive Order, the organization of the aforesaid Office immediately upon its approval. HACaSc
SECTION 2. The Philippine Relief and Rehabilitation Administration shall have the following duties and functions:
1. To act as the agency and representative of the Government of the Commonwealth to deal with the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration or other relief agencies of the United States Government or abroad.
2. To plan, coordinate, and administer the activities for the relief of victims of war such as the provision of food, clothing, shelter and other basic necessities, and medical and other essential services.
3. To coordinate the procurement and equitable distribution of available supplies and equipment for relief and rehabilitation.
4. To study and formulate plans for the rapid rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Philippines in agriculture, industry, trade and finance.
SECTION 3. To perform its duties and functions efficiently, the Administration is authorized to obtain, and the corresponding chief shall furnish, the assistance of officers and members of any department, bureau or office of the Government.
SECTION 4. The management of the Administration shall be vested in a Board of Directors, consisting of a Director General, as Chairman, who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, and the Secretary of Public Works and Communications, the Secretary of Finance, the Secretary of Agriculture and Commerce, the Secretary of Health and Public Welfare, the Secretary of Labor and the Commissioner of the Budget, as members.
The Director General shall devote his whole time to the work of the Administration and shall receive a salary of twelve thousand pesos annually.
The Director General shall, with the approval of the Board, fix the number and salaries and appoint such technical and subordinate personnel as may be necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Office.
SECTION 5. There is hereby appropriated the sum of one million pesos out of any funds of the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated for the organization and maintenance of the Office.
SECTION 6. Upon the approval of this Act the Emergency Control Administration shall be abolished and the functions, activities, funds, equipment and personnel of the Emergency Control Administration shall be transferred to the Philippine Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. In order to facilitate such transfer, the Auditor General is hereby authorized to help in the immediate liquidation and settlement of the obligations and accounts of the Emergency Control Administration.
SECTION 7. The Administration shall make a quarterly report of its activities to the President of Philippines and to the Congress of the Philippines. DHAcET
SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved, November 1, 1945.