Presidential Decree No. 665 (PD 665) — Authorizing the Bureau of Posts to Pay Compensation for Mail Carriage by Domestic Shipping Operators.
WHEREAS, while airlines, railways and bus operators are paid
for the carriage of public mail, domestic shipping operators are
required under the Revised Administrative Code of 1917 to carry such
mail free of charge;
WHEREAS, while the Bureau of Posts is willing and
financially able as a result of higher postal rates to compensate
vessels for domestic mail carriage, it cannot do so because of this
legal impediment;
WHEREAS, in fairness to domestic shipping operators who
render mail service and to assist them in improving their operations, it
is necessary to authorize the Bureau of Posts to pay for such service;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution,
do hereby order and decree as follows:
SECTION 1. Vessels engaged in the coastwide trade and
vessels plying between Philippine ports shall carry public mail on their
regular or special trips when requested by the Postmaster General or
his authorized representative, for which service the Bureau of Posts
shall pay the corresponding compensation.
SEC. 2. The carriage of mail shall be under such reasonable
terms and conditions including compensation as may be negotiated and
agreed upon between the authorized operator of the vessel or vessels and
the Postmaster General subject to the approval by the Secretary of
Public Works, Transportation and Communications. In case they are unable
to agree on the amount of compensation or any other terms and
conditions, the matter shall be decided upon and the terms and
conditions may be fixed by the Board of Transportation in accordance
with Section six, paragraph (d) of Presidential Decree No. 474.
SEC. 3. For any violation hereof or the terms and conditions
for mail carriage the offender shall be liable to the penalties
prescribed under the Revised Administrative Code.
SEC. 4. All laws, orders, rules and regulations or parts
thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Decree are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
SEC. 5. This Decree shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila, this 5th day of March, in the year of
Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-five.
(Sgd.)
FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President
Republic of the Philippines
By the President:
(Sgd.)
ALEJANDRO MELCHOR
Executive Secretary
Source: Supreme Court E-Library, Republic of the Philippines. Philippine laws are public documents (works of the government).
