Republic Act No. 140

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

Section 1

Section ten of Act Numbered Thirty hundred and two, as amended by Act Numbered Thirty-eight hundred fifty-one and Commonwealth Act Numbered Two hundred and eighty-five, is further amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 10. The Bureau of Customs shall have general supervision and regulation of, and control over the receiving, handling, custody, and delivery of merchandise on the wharves and piers of the Port of Manila and other ports of entry and shall fix the rates to be charged for the service, both for the merchandise imported and for that exported; and in the exercise of its functions it is hereby authorized to take over, operate, and superintend such plants as may have been established or may hereafter be established by the Government of the Philippines for the receiving, handling, custody and delivery of merchandise, and the convenience and comfort of passengers and the handling of their baggage. Said Bureau of Customs is further authorized to establish and operate such additional facilities as may be deemed proper for the receiving, handling, custody and delivery of merchandise, for the convenience and comfort of passengers and the handling of their baggage, and for the provision of adequate fire protection at the piers, the expenses thereof to be paid out of the funds in its possession."

Section 2

Section thirteen of said Act Numbered Thirty hundred and two, as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 13. Said Bureau of Customs is hereby authorized, whenever in its judgment the receiving, handling, custody, and delivery of merchandise intended for importation or exportation in the port of Manila and other ports of entry can be carried on with greater efficiency, to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any plant or equipment owned or which may hereafter be acquired by the Government of the Philippines from the receiving, handling, custody, and delivery of merchandise in the port of Manila and other ports of entry, to private persons, associations, or corporations, on such terms as may be deemed most advantageous, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Finance; and to make contracts with such persons, associations, or corporations for the receiving, handling, custody, and delivery of merchandise in the port of Manila and other ports of entry, while contracts shall contain conditions regarding access to the customs premises, subject to the control of the customs authorities, charges for the services rendered by the contractor, security to be given for the efficient handling, custody, and delivery of the merchandise and the prompt payment of all losses thereof, as may be agreed upon between the Bureau of Customs and the contractor, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Finance."

Section 3

This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 14, 1947.