Local government in the Philippine islands,

"MOROLAND" AND SPECIAL PROVINCES

181

and those organized under Act No. 1396, formerly known
as the Special Provincial Government Act (Art. XII, Chapter 56 of the Administrative Code of 1917), are designated
as special provinces.210 Regularly organized provinces,
whose governments are organized under the Provincial
Government Act, are supposed to bd in a far more advanced stage of civilization than are those organized under the Special Provincial Government Act. These special
provinces are converted into regular provinces as soon as
their progress in economic, social, financial, and political
lines will permit.
The first province to be especially organized was the
Province of Benguet. Its civil government was organized under the provisions of Act No. 49, enacted November
23. 1900. Then followed the establishment of the provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya under Act No. 337. This
act was very important, for it served as the basis of all
other special governments subsequently organized prior
to the passage of Act No. 1396, which repealed all prior acts
related to the organization of governments in special provinces. These provinces included the special provinces of
Lepanto-Bontoc, Paragua, and Mindoro.21
210 Vide-The Provincial Government, ch. viii, supra.
211 Act No. 49 provided for the establishment of the provincial
government of Benguet, composed of a provincial governor, a secretary, and an inspector, all of whom were appointed by the United
States Philippine Commission. The governor was the chief executive
of the province, exercised general supervision over the township governments in the province, and passed upon every act or ordinance of
the township councils of the province. In case of failure on the
part of the township council to legislate on important local matters,
he could order them to do so and his order to this effect had the
force of law. He acted as a provincial treasurer until a treasurer
could be appointed. He was also the chairman of the board of assessors provided for in Section 19 of the Act.
The provincial treasurer was the chief financial officer of the pro,
vince. He supervised the accounts and finances of every township.
The provincial inspector was charged with the periodical inspec