REPUBLIC ACT No. 1851
An Act Creating the Cebu Fire Damage Commission, and for Other Purposes
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress Assembled:
WHEREAS, on April 21, 1956, the greatest fire disaster in Philippine history wiped out completely more than twenty blocks of residential homes and establishments in Cebu City, rendering homeless about 20,000 people;
WHEREAS, official findings show that the fire was caused by the explosion of some dynamite in the storeroom in the Philippine Constabulary barracks in that City due to the fault of a non-commissioned officer, although proper precautions had been taken by higher army authorities to prevent or minimize the occurrence of such fire or explosion; and
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the whole nation to draw upon its whole resources to give needed assistance to the thousands of homeless victims and to indemnify the homeowners for damages suffered through no fault on their part and occasioned by an agent of the government; Now, therefore:
Section 1. There is hereby created a Cebu Fire Damage Commission to be composed of a representative each of the President, of the National Red Cross, and of the Social Welfare Administration, which shall have the duty and power to render aid and assistance to those rendered homeless and destitute because of that fire; and to receive and award claims for damages from any person whose home suffered any damage by reason of that fire.1avvphi1 The Commission shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for carrying out the objectives of this Act, and its award shall be final and unappealable: Provided, That the Commission shall give priority in paying awards of one thousand pesos or less.
Section 2. There is hereby set aside the sum of five million pesos, out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated, which shall be used to extend aid and assistance to those rendered homeless by the fire, and also to pay the awards as well as other expenses of administration of the Commission.
Section 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved: June 22, 1957.
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