COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 701

AN ACT APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS FOR THE RESUMPTION OF THE ACTIVITIES AND FUNCTIONS RELATIVE TO THE PROTECTION OF EARLY INFANCY, MATERNITY, AND CHILD HEALTH.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress Assembled:

SECTION 1. In order to insure aqnd afford adequate facilities for the resumption and continuation of the protection of early infancy and the promotion of the general work of the Government related to maternity and child health, there is appropriated, out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of five hundred thousand pesos to be expended at the discretion of the Secretary of Health and Public Welfare: Provided, That the funds herein appropriated shall not be affected by any priority appropriation established by law.

SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of the Secretary of Health and Public Welfare, through the Bureau of Health, to re organize as soon as practicable, the puerculture centers and maternity houses existing on or before the approval of this Act, and establish new ones in the different municipalities, municipal districts and chartered cities where such institutions are urgently needed. The Director of Health or his duly authorized representatives shall have control and supervision over the puerculture centers.

SEC. 3. Said institutions shall be maintained by the National Government and by the chartered city or municipality or municipal district in which established. The share of the National Government and of the cities, and other entities shall be in the following proportion: sixty per centum shall be paid out of the National fund and forty per centum by the local entity concerned. Said amount shall be deposited with, and certified to, by the treasurer orf the city or municipality or municipal district concerned, who shall act as treasurer ex-officio of the puericulture center or maternity house therein.

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

Approved, November 1, 1945.