Republic Act No. 51

Section 1

In order to meet the exigencies attendant upon the establishment of the free and independent Government of the Republic of the Philippines, and for the purpose of promoting simplicity, economy and efficiency in its operation, the President of the Philippines is authorized to effect by executive order from time to time, for a period not exceeding one year from the date of the approval of this Act, and within the limits of the total authorized appropriation for the fiscal year nineteen hundred and forty-seven, such reforms and changes in the different executive departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and other instrumentalities of the Government, including the corporations owned or controlled by the Government, as he may deem necessary, with the power to diminish, add to or abolish those existing and create new ones; consolidate related undertakings; transfer functions, appropriations, equipment, property, records, and personnel from one department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality to another; eliminate duplicated services or authorize new ones not provided for; classify, combine, split or abolish positions; standardize salaries; and do whatever is necessary and desirable to effect economy and promote efficiency in the government service.

Section 2

Officers and employees whose positions are abolished or who may be separated from the service as a consequence of the reorganization provided in this Act shall not lose their civil service eligibility for a period of ten years from the date of their separation from the service. In case an office needs the services of additional personnel, preference in the appointment shall be given to the officers or employees who may be separated from the service as a result of this reorganization and in accordance with the recommendation of the Commissioner of Civil Service.

Section 3

Any action taken by the President pursuant to the provisions of this Act shall be immediately reported to Congress and shall be valid and subsisting until Congress shall provide otherwise.

Section 4

This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: October 4, 1946