[ Commonwealth Act No. 257, March 25, 1938 ]

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES TO RELEASE AND ORDER THE EXPENDITURE OF A SUM NOT EXCEEDING FORTY PER CENTUM OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT RECOMMENDED FOR APPROPRIATION IN THE PUBLIC WORKS BILL ATTACHED TO THE MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DATED FEBRUARY FIRST, NINETEEN HUNDRED AND THIRTY-EIGHT, TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO COMMENCE AT ONCE THE EXECUTION OF THE PROJECTS LISTED IN THE SAID BILL.

Be it enacted by the National Assembly of the Philippines:

SECTION 1. Pending the final approval of the appropriations for public works recommended by the President of the Philippines in his message to the National Assembly dated February first, nineteen hundred and thirty-eight, the President is authorized to release and order the expenditure of a sum, not exceeding forty per centum of the sum of ninety-two millions two hundred seventy-one thousand and eight hundred pesos, which is the total amount stated in the bill attached to the aforementioned message and made a part thereof, for the purpose of enabling the Government to commence at once the execution of the projects, whether national or local, listed in said bill.

SEC. 2. Such sum or sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act are appropriated out of the general funds of the Philippine Treasury not otherwise appropriated.

Upon the final approval of the regular Public Works Appropriation Act, all expenditures made in pursuance of the authority granted hereunder shall be charged to the corresponding items of said Act.

SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect on its approval.

Approved, March 25, 1938.