Whereas, the fourth centennial of the discovery of the Philippine Islands by Fernando Magellan will occur on March sixteenth, nineteen hundred and twenty-one;

Whereas, it is the intention of the Government of the Philippine Islands to celebrate this occasion in a worthy and appropriate manner: Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Legislature assembled and by authority of the same:

SECTION 1. The Governor-General is hereby authorized to appoint immediately upon the approval of this Act a commission with plenary powers to perform all the preliminary work for the celebration in the city of Manila of the Fourth Centennial of the discovery of the Philippine Islands by Fernando Magellan. This celebration may be in the form of an oriental exposition or otherwise.    The Commission may appoint subordinate personnel and fix the salaries of  the same, and may, in the performance of its duties, communicate with the governments and official or private persons or entities of foreign countries in the name and on behalf of the Philippine Government, for the purposes of this Act.    At the next session of the Legislature, the Commission shall submit, for approval, a complete program for " the celebration of the Fourth Centennial and its estimate of expenses.

The president and the secretary of the Commission may receive salaries or per diems, or, if public officers, additional compensation,  in the  discretion  of the  Governor-General.

SEC. 2. The sum of fifty thousand pesos, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated, out of any funds in the Insular Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to be expended by the Commission for the purposes of this Act.

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

Approved, March 3, 1919.