0 URES NTAT INES

Republic of the Philippines RECTIVED
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress

First Regular Session
RECSTATON UNIT

BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

se
HOUSE BILL No,__ 1°99

Introduced by Honorable Mark O. Go

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to revise the current charter of the City of Baguio to cater to
the present needs of the city and its people.

The charter of Baguio City took effect on September 1, 1909 by virtue of
Sections 2540-2574 of the Revised Administrative Code of 1917, as amended.
The social, economic and political situation during the early years of Baguio City
was so much different from that of the present. Thus, there is a great need to revise
the charter to enable it to keep up with the fast changing times and to address the
city’s present problems, issues and concerns.

It can be recalled that there were already bills revising the charter of Baguio
City filed during the Thirteenth (House Bill (HB) No. 3617), Fourteenth (HB
2813), Fifteenth (HB 121) and Sixteenth (HB 4772) Congresses. President
Benigno S. Aquino III vetoed HB 121 during the 15" Congress.

The present proposed measure still carries similar objectives, primarily to
include the effective implementation of the city government’s land use
development plan, settlement of the boundary dispute of the city with the adjoining
Municipality of Tuba, addressing the problem in the disposition of alienable and
disposable public lands with the Baguio town site reservation, and the creation of a
more responsive taxation system and revenue generating projects.

Having consulted and dialogued with resource persons and stakeholders, this
proposed bill made the necessary changes to address the objections raised by
President Aquino when he vetoed a similar bill (HB121) in the past. The present
bill makes it clear among others, that the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources retains exclusive mandate over control and supervision of alienable and
disposable public lands and that the revised charter does not interfere in the



disposition of public properties owned by the Bases Conversion and Development
Authority.

In view of the foregoing considerations and in order to achieve effectiveness
and efficiency in local governance and to promote the general welfare of the
people of Baguio City, approval of this bill is highly and earnestly recommended.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session
1555
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Honorable Mark O. Go

AN ACT
REVISING THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF BAGUIO
REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE CHAPTER 61, ACT NO. 2711,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE REVISED ADMINISTRATIVE
CODE OF 1917 AS AMENDED

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

ARTICLEI
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Revised
Baguio City Charter Act.”

SEC. 2. Statement of Purpose. — The purposes of Baguio City are as
follows:

(a) To make Baguio City a home of dynamic and diverse cultures, to
be a center of education, trade and tourism in consonance with the laws of nature
and environment to be managed by sincere and steadfast leaders, who are God-
fearing, in partnership with responsible citizenry:

(b) To adopt an integrated life cycle approach to environmental
protection and management; promote eco-cultural tourism and tourism-related
microenterprises; ensure the sustenance of the Baguio City as an educational center
of Northern Luzon; develop and implement an investment portfolio and a
progressive marketing strategy;

(c) To attain effectiveness and efficiency in local governance to uphold
and promote the general welfare and ensure the delivery of basic services; and

(d) To maximize the exercise of the city’s proprietary functions for the
general welfare, the provision of basic services and facilities, the management of
its economic enterprises and the power to generate and utilize resources, subject to
such limitations as provided for under this Act.

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In the pursuit of the foregoing purposes, the public officials and employees
of Baguio City shall be guided by the following core values: service, integrity,
competence, transparency, accountability and resourcefulness.

SEC. 3. Territorial Boundaries. —Baguio City comprises the present
territorial boundaries without prejudice to the resolution by the appropriate agency
or forum of any boundary dispute or case involving questions of territorial
jurisdiction as well as agreements or exchange of portions of territories between
Baguio City and the adjoining local government units. Any such resolution or
agreement shall be appended hereto.

SEC. 4. Political and Corporate Nature. — Baguio City is a body
politic and corporate entity vested with powers to be exercised by it in conformity
with law. As such, it exercises powers as a political subdivision of the national
government and as a corporate entity representing the inhabitants of its territory.

As a political subdivision, Baguio City exercises the following governmental
powers:

(a) Create, merge, divide or abolish barangay units in accordance with
the criteria set forth by law: Provided, That existing barangay units that do not
meet the criteria shall be merged in accordance with law;

(b) Specify, select and transfer sites of barangay offices and facilities;

(c) Establish government centers for offices, agencies or branches of the
national government, local government units or government-owned and -
controlled corporations;

(d) Change the names of barangay units, streets, roads, structures and
public places in coordination with the National Historical Institute;

(e) Uphold and promote the general welfare;

(f) Provide effective basic social services and facilities;

(g) Prioritize basic and higher education to ensure its sustenance as
an educational center;

(h) Generate and utilize resources according to existing rules and
regulation;

(i) Exercise the power of eminent domain;

G) _ Reclassify lands subject to national law; and

(k) Close or open roads, alleys, parks or squares within its jurisdiction.

As a corporate entity, Baguio City exercises the following powers:

(1) To have continuous succession in its corporate name;

(2) To sue and be sued;

(3) To have and use a corporate seal;

(4) To acquire and convey real and personal property;

(5) To enter into contracts; and

(6) To exercise such other powers as are granted to corporations, subject to
the limitations provided for under this Act and other laws.


ARTICLE I
CITY OFFICIALS

SEC.5. Officials of the City of Baguio. (a) The officials of Baguio
City are the city mayor, city vice mayor, Sangguniang Panlungsod members,
secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod, city treasurer, city assessor, city
engineer, city buildings and architecture officer, city health officer, city civil
registrar, city accountant, city social welfare and development officer, city budget
officer, city planning and development officer, city administrator, city legal officer,
city general services officer, city veterinarian, city human resource management
officer, city environment and parks management officer, city tourism officer, city
public information officer, and city librarian. In addition, the city mayor may
appoint a city agriculturist, a city population officer, a city natural resources
officer and a city cooperatives officer.

(b) Through the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Baguio City may maintain
existing offices not mentioned in paragraph (a) of this section, create such other
offices as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of Baguio City in accordance
with its master plan of development, and to consolidate the functions of any office
with those of another in the interest of rationalization and efficiency.

(c) Unless otherwise provided in this Act, heads of departments and
offices shall be appointed by the city mayor with the concurrence of the majority
of all the sangguniang panlungsod members, subject to civil service law, rules and
regulations. The sangguniang panlungsod shall act on the appointment within
fifteen (15) days from the date of its submission, otherwise the same shall be
deemed confirmed.

(d) _ Elective and appointive city officials shall receive such compensation,
allowances, and other emoluments as may be determined by law or ordinance,
subject to the budgetary limitations on personal services prescribed under Title
Five, Book II of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, otherwise known as the
“Local Government Code of 1991.” No increase in compensation of the city
mayor, city vice mayor and sangguniang panlungsod members shall take effect
until after the expiration of the full term of the said local officials approving such
increase.

ARTICLE II
CITY MAYOR

SEC.6. City Mayor. ~ The city mayor shalll be the chief executive of the
city government. The city mayor shall exercise such powers and perform such
duties and functions as provided for under Section 455 of the Local Government
Code of 1991, as amended, and other laws and ordinance passed by the
Sangguniang Panlungsod.
ARTICLE IV
CITY VICE MAYOR

SEC. 7. City Vice Mayor. — The city vice mayor shall be the
presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and shall exercise the duties and

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functions as provided under Section 456 of the Local Government Code of 1991,
as amended, and other laws and ordinance passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

ARTICLE V
SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD

SEC.8. Sangguniang Panlungsod. — (a) Composition — The
Sangguniang Panlungsod shall be composed of the city vice mayor as presiding
officer, the twelve (12) elected regular Sangguniang Panlungsod members, the
president of the Liga ng mga Barangay, the president of the Pederasyon ng mga
Sangguniang Kabataan, one (1) member representing the women sector, and, as
shall be determined by the Sangguniang Panlungsod within ninety (90) days prior
to the holding of the local elections, one (1) member representing the agricultural
or industrial workers sector, and one (1) member from any of the following
sectors: urban poor, indigenous cultural communities or persons with disabilities.

(b) Election — The regular members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and
the three (3) sectoral representatives shall be elected in the manner provided
by law.

SEC.9. Powers, Duties and Functions. — (a) The Sangguniang
Panlungsod, as the legislative body of Baguio City, shall enact ordinances,
approve resolutions and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the City and
its inhabitants pursuant to Section 16 of the Local Government Code of 1991, as
amended, and in the proper exercise of the governmental and corporate powers
of Baguio City as provided for under this Act.

(b) It shall exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and
functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.

ARTICLE VI
QUALIFICATIONS, DISQUALIFICATION AND SUCCESSION OF
ELECTIVE CITY OFFICIALS

SEC. 10. Qualifications and Disqualification. — Elective city officials
shall possess the same qualifications as those enumerated in Section 39 of the
Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and shall be disqualified from
running for any elective position in Baguio City upon any of the grounds
provided in Section 40 thereof or upon any other ground provided by law.

SEC. 11. Permanent Vacancy in the Offices of the City Mayor and the
City Vice Mayor. — (a) If a permanent vacancy occurs in the office of the city
mayor, the city vice mayor concerned shall assume as the city mayor. If a
permanent vacancy occurs in the office of the city vice mayor, the highest ranking
sangguniang panlungsod member or, in case of permanent incapacity, the second
highest ranking sangguniang panlungsod member shall assume as the city mayor
or the city vice mayor, as the case may be. Subsequent vacancies in the said
offices shall be filled automatically by the other sanggunian members according to
their ranking as defined herein.

(b) A tie between or among the highest ranking sangguniang panlungsod
members shall be resolved by drawing of lots.


(c) The successors as defined herein shall serve only for the unexpired
terms of their predecessors.

(d) For purposes of this Act, a permanent vacancy arises when an elective
local official fills in a higher vacant office, refuses to assume office, fails to
qualify, dies, is removed from office, voluntarily resigns or is otherwise
permanently incapacitated to discharge the functions of the office.

(e) For purposes of succession as provided herein, ranking in the sanggunian
shall be determined on the basis of the proportion of votes obtained by each
winning candidate to the total number of registered voters in the constituency in
the immediately preceding local election.

SEC. 12. Permanent Vacancies in the Sangguniang Panlungsod. —
Permanent vacancies in the Sangguniang Panlungsod where automatic succession
as provided above does not apply shall be filled by appointments in the following
manner:

(a) The President, through the Executive Secretary, shall make the aforesaid
appointments.

(b) Only the nominee of the political party under which the sanggunian
member concerned had been elected and whose elevation to the position next
higher in rank created the last vacancy in the sanggunian shall be appointed in the
manner hereinabove provided. The appointee shall come from the same political
party as that of the sanggunian member who caused the vacancy and shall serve
the unexpired term of the vacant office.

In the appointment herein mentioned, a nomination and a certificate of
membership of the appointee from the highest official of the political party
concerned are conditions sine qua non, and any appointment without such
nomination and certification shall be null and void ab initio and shall be a ground
for administrative action against the official responsible therefor.

(c) In case the permanent vacancy is caused by a sanggunian member who
does not belong to any political party, the city mayor shall, upon the
recommendation of the sanggunian concerned, appoint a qualified person to fill
the vacancy.

(d) In case of vacancy in the representation of the youth and the
barangay in the sanggunian, said vacancy shall be filled automatically by the
official next-in-rank of the organization concerned.

ARTICLE VII
COMPENSATION OF CITY OFFICIALS

SEC. 13. Compensation. — Incumbent city officials and employees shall
continue to receive their present salaries and benefits in accordance with the
salary grades and rates prescribed under Republic Act No. 6758, as amended,
otherwise known as the “Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989”
and the implementing guidelines issued pursuant thereto.


ARTICLE VIII
APPOINTIVE CITY OFFICIALS AND THEIR QUALIFICATIONS,
FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

SEC. 14. Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod. — (a) There shall
be a secretary to the sangguniang panlungsod who shall be a career official with
the rank and salary equal to a head of a department or office and who shall be
appointed by the city vice mayor with the concurrence of the majority of all
sangguniang panlungsod members as provided herein.

(b) No person shall be appointed secretary to the sangguniang panlungsod
unless that person is a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of Baguio City, of
good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably in law, commerce
or public administration obtained from a recognized college or university and
a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. The appointee must have
acquired experience in the legislative service for at least five (5) years
immediately preceding the date of appointment.

(c) The secretary to the sanggunian shall take charge of the office of the
sangguniang panlungsod and shall perform such duties and functions and
exercise such powers as provided for under the Local Government Code of
1991, as amended, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.

SEC. 15. City Treasurer. — (a) The city treasurer shall be appointed by
the Secretary of the Department of Finance from a list of at least three (3) ranking
eligible recommendees of the city mayor, subject to civil service law, rules and
regulations.

(b) The city treasurer shall be under the administrative supervision of the
city mayor, and shall take charge of the city treasury office.

(c) The city treasurer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of
Baguio City, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably in
commerce, public administration or law obtained from a recognized college or
university and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. The city
treasurer must have acquired experience in treasury or accounting service for at
least five (5) years immediately preceding the date of the appointment.

(d) The city treasurer shall perform such duties and functions and exercise
such powers as provided for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as
amended, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.

SEC. 16. City Assessor. — (a) The city assessor must be a citizen of the
Philippines, a resident of Baguio City, of good moral character, a holder of a
college degree preferably in civil or mechanical engineering, commerce or any
other related course obtained from a recognized college or university and a first
grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. The city assessor must have acquired
experience in real property assessment work or in any related field for at least five
(5) years immediately preceding the date of the appointment.

(b) The city assessor shall perform such duties and functions and
exercise such powers as provided for under the Local Government Code of
1991, as amended, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.


(c) The city assessor shall take charge of the city assessor’s office.

SEC.17. City Engineer. — (a) The city engineer must be a citizen of the
Philippines, a resident of Baguio City, of good moral character, a licensed civil
engineer, and must have acquired experience in the practice of civil engineering
profession for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the date of the
appointment.

(b) The city engineer shall perform such duties and functions and
exercise such powers as provided for under the Local Government Code of
1991, as amended, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.

(c) The city engineer shall take charge of the city engineering office.

SEC. 18. City Buildings and Architecture Officer. - (a) The city
buildings and architecture officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident
of Baguio City, of good moral character, a licensed architect or civil engineer, and
must have acquired experience in the practice of architecture or civil engineering
profession for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the date of the
appointment.

(b) The city buildings and architecture officer shall perform such duties
and functions and exercise such powers as provided for under the Local
Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are prescribed by law or
ordinance.

(c) The city buildings and architecture officer shall take charge of the city
buildings and architecture office.

SEC. 19. City Health Officer. - (a) The city health officer must be a
citizen of the Philippines, a resident of Baguio City, of good moral character, a
licensed medical doctor, and must have acquired experience in the practice of the
medical profession for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the date of
the appointment.

(b) The city health officer shall perform such duties and functions and
exercise such powers as provided for under the Local Government Code of
1991, as amended, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.

(c) The city health officer shall take charge of the city health Services
Office.

SEC. 20. City Civil Registrar. — (a) The city civil registrar must be a
citizen of the Philippines, a resident of Baguio City, of good moral character, a
holder of a college degree obtained from a recognized college or university and a
first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. The city c ivil registrar must
have acquired experience in civil registry work for at least five (5) years
immediately preceding the date of the appointment.

(b) The city civil registrar shall be responsible for the civil registration
program in Baguio City pursuant to the Civil Registry Law, the Civil Code and
other pertinent laws, rules and regulations issued to implement them.

(c) The city civil registrar shall perform such duties and functions and
exercise such powers as provided for under the Local Government Code of 1991,
as amended, including extra-judicial functions under Republic Act No. 9048, and
those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.

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(d) The city civil registrar shall take charge of the office of the city civil
registry.

SEC. 21. City Accountant. — (a) The city accountant must be a citizen
of the Philippines, a resident of Baguio City, of good moral character, a certified
public accountant, and must have acquired experience in treasury or accounting
service for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the date of the
appointment.

(b) The city accountant shall perform such duties and functions and
exercise such powers as provided for under the Local Government Code of
1991, as amended, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.

(c) The city accountant shall take charge of both the city accounting office
and the city internal audit services office.

SEC. 22. City Social Welfare and Development Officer. — (a) The city
social welfare and development officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a
resident of Bagiuo City, of good moral character, a duly licensed social worker, a
holder of a college degree preferably in sociology, social work or any other
related course obtained from a recognized college or university and a first grade
civil service eligible or its equivalent. The city social welfare and development
officer must have acquired experience in the practice of social work for at least
five (5) years immediately preceding the date of the appointment.

(b) The city social welfare and development officer shall perform such
duties and functions and exercise such powers as provided for under the Local
Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are prescribed by law or
ordinance.

(c) The city social welfare and development officer shall take charge of the
Office of Social Welfare and Development.

SEC. 23. _ The City Budget Officer. ~ (a) The city budget officer must be
a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City, of good moral character, a
holder of a college degree preferably in accounting, economics, public
administration or any related course obtained from a recognized college or
university, a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent, and must have
acquired experience in government budgeting or in any related field for at least
five (5) years immediately preceding the date of the appointment.

(b) The city budget officer shall perform such duties and functions and
exercise such powers as provided for under the Local Government Code of 1991,
as amended, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.

(c) The city budget officer shall take charge of the city budget office.

SEC. 24. City Planning and Development Officer. — (a) The city
planning and development officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident
of Baguio City, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably
in urban or environmental planning, development studies, economics, public
administration or any related course obtained from a recognized college or
university, a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent, and must have
acquired experience in development planning or in any related field for at least
five (5) years immediately preceding the date of the appointment.

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(b) The city planning and development officer shall perform such duties
and functions and exercise such powers as provided for under the Local
Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are prescribed by law or
ordinance.

(c) The city planning and development officer shall take charge of the city
planning and development coordinating office.

SEC. 25. City Administrator. — (a) The city administrator must be a
citizen of the Philippines, a resident of Baguio City, of good moral character, a
holder of a college degree preferably in public administration, law or any other
related course obtained from a recognized college or university, a first grade civil
service eligible or its equivalent, and must have acquired experience in
management and administrative work for at least five (5) years immediately
preceding the date of the appointment.

(b) The term of the city administrator is coterminous with that of the
appointing authority.

(c) The city administrator shall perform such duties and functions and
exercise such powers as provided for under the Local Government Code of
1991, as amended, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.

(d) The city administrator shall take charge of the City
Administrator’s Office.

SEC. 26. City Legal Officer. — (a) The city legal officer must be a
citizen of the Philippines, a resident of Baguio City, of good moral character, a
member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and must have practiced law for
at least five (5) years immediately preceding the date of the appointment.

(b) The term of the city legal officer shall be coterminous with that of the
appointing authority.

(c) The city legal officer shall perform such duties and functions and
exercise such powers as provided for under the Local Government Code of
1991, as amended, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.

(d) The city legal officer, as the chief legal counsel of Baguio City,
shall take charge of the city legal services office.

SEC.27. City General Services Officer. — (a) The city general services
officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of Baguio City, of good
moral character, a holder of a college degree in public administration, business
administration or management obtained from a recognized college or university, a
first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent, and must have acquired
experience in general services, including the management of supply and property
for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the date of the appointment.

(b) The city general services officer shall perform such duties and
functions and exercise such powers as provided for under the Local Government
Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.

(c) The city general services officer shall take charge of the city
general services office.

SEC. 28. City Veterinarian, ~ (a) The city veterinarian must be a citizen
of the Philippines, a resident of Baguio City, of good moral character, a licensed

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doctor of veterinary medicine, and must have practiced veterinary profession for
at least three (3) years immediately preceding the date of the appointment.

(b) The city veterinarian shall perform such duties and functions and
exercise such powers as provided for under the Local Government Code of
1991, as amended, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.

(c) The city veterinarian shall take charge of the city veterinary services
office.

SEC. 29. City Human Resource Management Officer. — (a) The city
human resource management officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a
resident of Baguio City, of good moral character, a human resource management
or development practitioner, a holder of a college degree in management or
any other related course obtained from a recognized college or university, a first
grade civil service eligible or its equivalent, and must have acquired experience in
the practice of human resource management or development, the administration,
execution, coordination and supervision of activities involving personnel
operations, and the implementation of civil service laws, rules and regulations for
at least five (5) years immediately preceding the date of the appointment.

(b) The city human resource management officer shall perform such duties
and functions and exercise such powers as provided for under the Local
Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are prescribed by law or
ordinance or civil service rules and issuances.

(c) The city human resource management officer shall take charge of the city
human resource management office.

SEC. 30. City Environment and Parks Management Officer. — (a)
The city environment and parks management officer must be a citizen of the
Philippines, a resident of Baguio City, of good moral character, a duly licensed
sanitary engineer or a holder of a college degree in forestry, watershed and parks
management or any other related course obtained from a recognized college or
university and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. The city
environment and parks management officer must have acquired experience in
solid and liquid waste management, general sanitation, forestry, watershed and
parks management for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the date of the
appointment.

(b) The city environment and parks management officer shall perform
such duties and functions and exercise such powers as provided for under the
Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are prescribed by
law or ordinance.

(c) The city environment and parks management officer shall take charge of
the city environment and parks management office.

SEC.31. — City Tourism Officer. — (a) The city tourism officer must be
a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of Baguio City, of good moral character, a
holder of a college degree preferably with specialized training in tourism
development obtained from a recognized college or university and a first grade
civil service eligible or its equivalent. The city tourism officer must have
acquired experience in the implementation of programs on tourism development
for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the date of the appointment.


(b) The city tourism officer shall assist the city mayor and the local tourism
council in developing and implementing tourism-related programs and perform
such duties and functions and exercise such powers as provided for under the
Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are prescribed by
law or ordinance.

(c) The city tourism officer shall take charge of the city tourism office.

SEC. 32. City Public Information Officer. — (a) The city public
information officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of Baguio City,
of good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably in journalism,
mass communications or any related course obtained from a recognized college or
university and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. The city public
information officer must have acquired experience in writing articles and research
papers or in writing for print, television or broadcast media for at least five (5)
years immediately preceding the date of the appointment.

(b) The city public information officer shall perform such duties and
functions and exercise such powers as provided for under the Local Government
Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.

(c) The city public information officer shall take charge of the city Public
information office.

SEC. 33. City Librarian. — (a) The city librarian must be a citizen of
the Philippines, a resident of Baguio City, of good moral character, a holder of a
college degree preferably in library science or any related course obtained from a
recognized college or university, a licensed librarian and a first grade civil
service eligible or its equivalent. The city librarian must have acquired experience
in library administration for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the date
of the appointment.

(b) The city librarian shall perform such duties and functions and exercise
such powers as provided for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as
amended, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.

(c) The city librarian shall take charge of the city library.

SEC. 34. City Agriculturist. — (a) The city agriculturist must be a citizen
of the Philippines, a resident of Baguio City, of good moral character, a holder of
a college degree preferably in agriculture or any other related course obtained
from a recognized college or university and a first grade civil service eligible or
its equivalent. The city agriculturist must have practiced the profession in
agriculture or acquired the experience for at least five (5) years immediately
preceding the date of the appointment.

(b) The city agriculturist shall perform such duties and functions and
exercise such powers as provided for under the Local Government Code of
1991, as amended, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.

(c) The city agriculturist shall take charge of the city agricultural
services office.

SEC.35. City Population Officer. — (a) The city population officer must
be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of Baguio City, of good moral
character, a holder of a college degree preferably with specialized training in

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population development obtained from a recognized college or university and a
first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. The city population officer must
have acquired experience in the implementation of programs on population
development or responsible parenthood for at least five (5) years immediately
preceding the date of the appointment.

(b) The city population officer shall perform such duties and functions and
exercise such powers as provided for under the Local Government Code of 1991,
as amended, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.

(c) The city population officer shall take charge of the city population
development office.

SEC. 36. City Natural Resources Officer. — (a) The city natural
resources officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of Baguio City, of
good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably in environment,
forestry, agriculture or any other related course obtained from a recognized
college or university and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. The
city natural resources officer must have acquired experience in environmental
protection and ecology, and natural resources management, conservation and
utilization work for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the date of the
appointment.

(b) The city natural resources officer shall perform such duties and
functions and exercise such powers as provided for under the Local Government
Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.

(c) The city natural resources officer shall take charge of the city natural
resources office.

SEC.37. — City Cooperatives Officer. — (a) The city cooperatives officer
must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of Baguio City, of good moral
character, a holder of a college degree preferably in business administration with
special training on cooperatives or any related course obtained from a
recognized college or university and a first grade civil service eligible or its
equivalent. The city cooperatives officer must have acquired experience in
cooperatives development for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the
date of the appointment.

(b) The city cooperatives officer shall perform such duties and functions
and exercise such powers as provided for under the Local Government Code of
1991, as amended, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance.

(c) The city cooperatives officer shall take charge of the city office for the
development of cooperatives.

ARTICLE IX
BOARDS AND COUNCILS

SEC. 38. Boards and Councils. — The local boards and councils
created pursuant to the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, such as the
City School Board, City Health Board, City Development Council, and City
Peace and Order Council, shall continue to exist and function as provided for by
law. Other local bodies such as the City Tourism Council, the City Convention
and Visitors Bureau, the Sister-Cities Committee, the Character City Committee,

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the City Traffic and Transportation Management Committee, the City Disaster
and Risk Reduction Management Council, the City Solid Waste Management
Board, the City Market Authority, and the Burnham Park Management Authority
shall continue to exist and function as provided for by law or ordinance.

ARTICLE X
BAGUIO TOWNSITE RESERVATION AND WATERSHEDS

SEC. 39. Alienable and Disposable Lands. — All alienable and
disposable lands within the Baguio Townsite Reservation shall be disposed of and
awarded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
through the grant of residential free patent, townsite sales, or other modes of
disposition pursuant to Republic Act No. 10023, otherwise known as the Free
Patent Law; Commonwealth Act No. 141, otherwise known as the Public Land
Act; and such other laws authorizing the disposition of the lands to qualified
actual occupants thereon.

The application of Republic Act No. 10023 shall always consider the
Zoning Ordinance and the City Land Use Plan. Hence, alienable and disposable
public land covered by a townsite sales application filed with the DENR covering
areas exceeding two hundred (200) square meters shall not be subdivided for
processing under a residential free patent application.

Alienable and disposable lands between roads and titled properties and
lands along creeks and rivers with an area of two hundred (200) square meters,
more or less, and which are not occupied by houses shall form part of the
greenbelt areas of Baguio City, and shall not be awarded to private individuals.

SEC. 40. City Watersheds. - The Baguio City Government shall
protect, preserve and develop its watersheds and shall impose penal sanctions on
anyone who infringes on the said water sources of the city. The forest
reservations and water sources within the Bases Conversion and Development
Authority (BCDA) lands shall remain under the jurisdiction of the BCDA.

ARTICLE XI
ANCESTRAL LANDS

SEC.41. Ancestral Lands. — Pursuant to Republic Act No. 8371,
otherwise known as “The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997,” legitimate
ancestral lands are considered private properties or lands and are not part of the
Baguio Townsite Reservation.

ARTICLE XII
CAMP JOHN HAY RESERVATION

SEC.42. Camp John Hay Reservation. — The Camp John Hay
Reservation covering a total land area of 6,254,105 square meters, which was
transferred to the BCDA by virtue of Republic Act No. 7227, as amended,
otherwise known as the “Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992” is not
part of the Baguio Townsite Reservation.

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ARTICLE XIII
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

SEC. 43. Ordinances Prior to the Approval of this Act. — All
ordinances and resolutions of the City of Baguio existing at the time of the
approval of this Act shall continue to be in force and effect until the sangguniang
panlungsod of Baguio City shall declare otherwise.

SEC. 44. Incumbent Representative and other Elective and Appointive
Officials. — The incumbent Representative of the Lone Legislative District of the
City of Baguio and other elective and appointive officials of the City shall
continue to exercise their powers and functions during their term or tenure,
pursuant to existing laws.

SEC. 45. Representative District. — Until otherwise provided by law,
the City of Baguio shall continue to exist as a lone legislative district.

SEC. 46. Identity of the City. - The City shall retain its identity as a
highly-urbanized city, and shall remain part of the Cordillera Administrative
Region. Baguio City may form part of any growth corridor that will be
established or of any aggrupation of local government units that shall undertake to
consolidate or coordinate their efforts, services, and resources for purposes
commonly beneficial to them such as those being undertaken by Baguio City, and
the municipalities of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay, commonly
known as the BLISTT concept.

ARTICLE XIV
FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 47. Applicability of Laws. — The provisions of the Local
Government Code of 1991, as amended, and such other laws applicable to highly-
urbanized cities shall govern Baguio City insofar as they are not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 48. Repealing Clause. — The provisions of the Charter of the
City of Baguio as contained in Act No. 2711, otherwise known as the “Revised
Administrative Code of 1917,” as amended, is hereby repealed. All other laws,
decrees, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 49.  Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions hereof shall
remain valid and effective.

SEC. 50.  Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,