REPUBLIC ACT NO. 538 - AN ACT AUTHORIZING MUNICIPAL COUNCILS TO PROVIDE FOR THE INSURANCE OF THE LIFE OF BARRIO LIEUTENANTS AGAINST ACCIDENTS AND OTHER CAUSES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION TWENTY-TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY-THREE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE AS AMENDED.

WHEREAS, barrio lieutenants are rendering unselfish service to the community without compensation, and under the present unsettled condition of peace and order, their position invites greater risk to their lives;

WHEREAS, there are at present operating in the Philippines insurance companies against accidents issuing policies with face value of P1,000 upon the payment of the premium of P3 per annum; and

WHEREAS, to compensate the valuable services of barrio lieutenants and to afford an aid to their surviving families in case of death through unnatural causes, and since the government is not in a position financially to give due compensation to these humble servants of the people, at least a palliative in the form of an accident policy must be obtained for them by the municipal council in any insurance company; Now, therefore,

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

SECTION 1. Section twenty-two hundred and forty-three Administrative Code, as amended, is further ended by adding at the end thereof the following subparagraph:

"( u ) To provide for the insurance of the life of all barrio lieutenants in the municipality against accidents, murders and assaults for a sum not exceeding one thousand pesos each." SEC. 2. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved, June 16, 1950.