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 in successive annual budgets the allotments necessary to meet them, and provided that their payment does not absorb the economic capacity of the Municipality to render the other services in its charge. No Municipality can contract obligations of this kind without a favourable prior report from the Tribunal of Accounts and also a favourable vote of two-thirds of the members composing the Municipal council or commission.

(h) The enumeration of these faculties, as well as any other that is made by law, does not imply a limitation or restriction of the general faculties granted by the Constitution to Municipalities, being only the expression of a part thereof, without prejudice to the provisions of Article 212 of this Constitution.

Intermunicipal trade, communications and transit cannot be taxed by Municipalities. Speculation or unfair competition that might result from measures adopted by municipalities is prohibited. Municipal taxes on articles of prime necessity shall be adjusted to the bases established by law.

214. The government of each municipality is obligated to meet the following minimum local needs:

(a) The punctual payment of salaries and wages to municipal officers and employees, in accordance with the standard of living of the locality.

(b) The maintenance of an asylum and local welfare building, a workshop and an agricultural school.

(c) The maintenance of a police force and a fire department.

(d) The functioning, at least in the seat of government, of a school, a library, a centre of popular culture and a first-aid station.

215. In each Municipality there shall be a Commission on Urbanisation which shall be obligated to lay out the plan of extension and embellishment of the city, and to see to its execution, bearing in mind present and future needs of public transit, hygiene, beauty and the common well-being.

The said Commission shall attend to everything relating to living quarters for workers and shall propose plans of erection of houses for workers and farmers, which can be acquired by payment over a long term of a modest rental which will