Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
       HOUSE BILL NO.  3873
Introduced by:  REP. SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks the timely and necessary conversion of the Municipality of Santa 
Maria in the Province of Bulacan into a component city.  This is not merely a change in 
administrative title but a formal recognition of Santa Maria’s remarkable and sustained 
growth in population, economy, and urban development over the past several decades.  
The Municipality of Santa Maria is a 1st class urban municipality with a population 
of 322,525 people, representing 8.32% of the population of the province based on the 2024 
census of the Philippine Statistics Authority.  Santa Maria has existed as a thriving 
settlement for nearly four centuries since its establishment in 1793. 
With a land area of about 9,092.5 hectares, or about 90.92 square kilometers, Santa 
Maria is generally plain, although hilly in the northern portion.  It has a lone body of 
water, the Santa Maria River.  The municipality has rich deposits of gravel and sand, as 
well as volcanic tuff or adobe, providing its citizens with a good source of livelihood 
through quarrying. 
The legal basis for the conversion of the Municipality of Santa Maria into a 
component city is enshrined in Section 450 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known 
as the Local Government Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 11683, which sets the 
annual revenue requirement to Four Hundred Million Pesos (PhP 400,000,000.00) for the 
last two (2) consecutive years based on 2012 constant prices and either have a contiguous 
territory of at least one hundred (100) square kilometers or a population of not less than 
one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) inhabitants. 
Santa Maria reported a revenue of over 1.2 billion pesos in 2022 and has proven its 
fiscal capacity to manage its own affairs and fund comprehensive public services without 
being overly dependent on the National Government. 
August 20, 2025
1:06 pm


It is unmistakable that the Municipality of Santa Maria has surpassed the 
recommended threshold set by the constitutional standards for its conversion into a 
component city.  Furthermore, cityhood will bolster Santa Maria’s capacity to attract 
more significant investments, creating more jobs and economic opportunities for its 
people 
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR. 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
        HOUSE BILL NO.  3873 
Introduced by REP. SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR. 
AN ACT 
CONVERTING THE MUNICIPALITY OF SANTA MARIA IN THE PROVINCE OF 
BULACAN INTO A COMPONENT CITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE CITY OF 
SANTA MARIA 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1.  Title. -  This Act shall be known as the “Charter of the City of Santa 
Maria”. 
SEC. 2.  The City of Santa Maria -  The Municipality of Santa Maria shall be 
converted into a component city to be known as the City of Santa Maria, hereinafter 
referred to as the City, which shall comprise the present territory of the Municipality of 
Santa Maria, Bulacan.  The territorial jurisdiction of the City shall be within the present 
metes and bounds of the Municipality of Santa Maria. 
The foregoing provision shall be without prejudice to the resolution by the 
appropriate agency or forum of existing boundary disputes or cases involving questions 
of territorial jurisdiction between the City of Santa Maria and the adjoining local 
government units:  Provided, That the territorial jurisdiction of the disputed area or areas 
shall remain with the local government unit, which has existing administrative 
supervision over said area or areas until the final resolution of the case. 


 
SEC. 3.  Corporate Powers of the City. – The City constitutes a political body 
corporate and, as such, is endowed with the attributes of perpetual succession and 
possesses the powers which pertain to a municipal corporation to be exercised in 
conformity with the provisions of this Charter. The City shall have the following 
corporate powers: 
a) To have a continuous succession in its corporate name; 
b) To sue and be sued; 
c) To have and use a corporate seal; 
d) To acquire, hold, and convey real or personal property; 
e) To enter into any contract and/or agreement; and 
f) To exercise such other powers, prerogatives, or authority subject to the limitations 
provided in this Act or laws. 
 
SEC. 4. 
General Powers of the City. – The City shall have a common seal and may 
alter the same at pleasure.  It shall exercise the powers to levy taxes; to close and open 
roads, streets, alleys, parks or squares; to take, purchase, receive, hold, lease, convey, and 
dispose of real and personal property for the general interests of the City; to expropriate 
or condemn private property for public use; to contract and be contracted with; to sue 
and be sued; to prosecute and defend to final judgment and execution suits wherein the 
City is involved or interested in; and to exercise all the powers as are granted to 
corporations or as hereinafter conferred. 
 
SEC. 5. 
Liability for Damages. – The City and its officials shall not be exempt from 
liability for death or injury to persons or property damage . 
 
SEC. 6. 
Jurisdiction of the City. – The jurisdiction of the City of Santa Maria, for police 
purposes only, shall be coextensive with its territorial jurisdiction and to protect and 
ensure the purity of the water supply of the City, such police jurisdiction shall also extend 
over all the territory within the drainage area of such water supply, or within one 
hundred meters (100 m.) of any reservoir, conduit, canal, aqueduct or pumping station 
used in connection with the city water service. 
 
The city court of the City of Santa Maria shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the 
city or municipal court of the adjoining municipalities or cities, to try crimes and 
misdemeanors committed within said drainage area or within said spaces of one hundred 
meters (100 m.).  The court, first taking cognizance of such an offense, shall have 
jurisdiction to try said cases to the exclusion of others.  The police force of several 
municipalities and cities concerned shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the police of 
the City for the maintenance of good order and the enforcement of ordinances throughout 
said zone, area, or spaces.  But any license that may be issued within said zone, area or 
spaces shall be granted by the proper authorities of the city or municipality concerned, 


and the fees arising therefrom shall accrue to the treasury of the said city or municipality 
concerned and not to the City. 
 
ARTICLE II 
CITY OFFICIALS IN GENERAL 
 
SEC. 7.  The Officials of the City of Santa Maria. – 
 
a) There shall be in the City of Santa Maria a City Mayor, City Vice Mayor, 
Sangguniang Panglungsod 
members, a secretary to the 
Sangguniang 
Panglungsod, a city treasurer and an assistant city treasurer, a city assessor and an 
assistant city assessor, a city accountant, a city budget officer, a city planning and 
development coordinator, a city engineer, a city health officer, a city civil registrar, 
a city administrator, a city legal officer, a city social welfare and development 
officer, a city veterinarian and a city general services officer. 
b) In addition thereto, the city mayor may appoint a city environment and natural 
resources officer, a city architect, a city information officer, a city cooperatives 
officer, a city population officer, and a city agriculturist. 
c) There shall be established in the City a city fire station to be headed by a city fire 
marshal, a city jail to be headed by a city jail warden, and a city schools division 
to be headed by a city schools division superintendent.  
d) The City of Santa Maria may: 
1. Maintain existing offices not mentioned in subsections (a), (b), and (c) 
hereof; 
2. Create such other offices as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of 
the City; or 
3. Consolidate the functions of any office with those of another in the interest 
of efficiency and economy. 
e) Unless otherwise provided herein, heads of departments and offices shall be 
appointed by the City Mayor with the concurrence of the majority of all the 
members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod, subject to civil service law, rules and 
regulations.  The Sangguniang Panglungsod shall act on the appointment within 
fifteen (15) days from the day of its submission, otherwise the same shall be 
deemed confirmed. 
 
ARTICLE III 
THE CITY MAYOR AND CITY VICE MAYOR 
 
SEC. 8.  The City Mayor. – 
 
a) The City Mayor shall be the chief executive of the City.  He shall be elected at 
large by the qualified voters of the City.  No person shall be eligible for the 
position of city mayor unless, at the time of the election, he is at least twenty-


one (21) years of age, an actual resident of the City for at least one year prior to 
his election and a qualified voter therein.  He shall hold office for three years, 
unless sooner removed, and shall receive a minimum monthly compensation 
corresponding to Salary Grade Thirty (30) as prescribed under Republic Act 
No. 6758, otherwise known as the Salary Standardization Law, and the 
implementing guidelines issued pursuant thereto.  
b) The City Mayor, as the chief executive of the city government, shall exercise 
such powers and perform such duties and functions as provided herein: 
c) For efficient, effective and economical governance, the purpose of which is the 
general welfare of the city and its inhabitants, the city mayor shall: 
(i) 
Exercise those powers expressly granted to him by law, those 
necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, 
appropriate or incidental for the efficient and effective governance 
of the City, and those which are essential to the promotion of the 
general welfare: 
(ii) 
Determine the guidelines of city policies and be responsible to the 
Sangguniang Panglungsod for the program of government; 
(iii) 
Direct the formulation of the city development plan, with the 
assistance of the city development council, and upon approval 
thereof by the Sangguniang Panglungsod, implement the same;  
(iv) 
Present the program of government and propose policies and 
projects for the consideration of the Sangguniang Panglungsod at the 
opening of the regular session of the Sangguniang Panglungsod 
every calendar year and as often as may be deemed necessary as the 
general welfare of the inhabitants and the needs of the city 
government may require; 
(v) 
Initiate and propose legislative measures to the Sangguniang 
Panglungsod and as often as may be deemed necessary, provide 
such information and data needed or requested by said Sanggunian 
in the performance of its legislative functions; 
(vi) 
Appoint all officials and employees whose appointments are not 
otherwise provided for in this Act, as well as those he may be 
authorized by law to appoint;  
(vii) 
Represent the City in all its business transactions and sign on its 
behalf all bonds, contracts and obligations, and such other 
documents upon authority of the Sangguniang Panglungsod or 
pursuant to law or ordinance;  
(viii) Carry out such emergency measures as may be necessary during and 
in the aftermath of man-made and natural disasters and calamities;  
(ix) 
Determine the time, manner and place of payment of salaries or 
wages of the officials and employees of the City, in accordance with 
law or ordinance; 


(x) 
Allocate and assign office space to the City and other officials and 
employees who, by law or ordinance, are entitled to such space in 
the city hall and other buildings owned or leased by the city 
government; 
(xi) 
Ensure that all executive officials and employees of the City 
faithfully discharge their duties and functions as provided by law 
and this Act, and cause to be instituted administrative or judicial 
proceedings against any official or employee of the City who may 
have committed an offense in the performance of his official duties; 
(xii) 
Examine the books, records and other documents of all offices, 
officials, agents or employees of the City and, in aid of his executive 
powers and authority, require all national officials and employees 
stationed in or assigned to the City to make available to him such 
books, records and other documents in their custody except those 
classified by law as confidential; 
(xiii) Furnish copies of executive orders issued by him to the Office of the 
President and the Office of the Secretary of the Interior and Local 
Government within seventy-two (72) hours after their issuance; 
(xiv) Visit component barangays of the City at least once every six months 
to deepen his understanding of problems and conditions, listen and 
give appropriate counsel to local officials and inhabitants of general 
laws and ordinances which especially concern them, and otherwise 
conduct visits and inspections to ensure that the governance of the 
City will improve the quality of life of the inhabitants; 
(xv) 
Act on leave applications of officials and employees appointed by 
him and the commutation of the monetary value of their leave 
credits in accordance with law; 
(xvi) Authorize official trips of city officials and employees outside of the 
City for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days:  Provided, That the 
trips abroad or for a longer period may be authorized in accordance 
with the Local Government Code of 1991; 
(xvii) Call upon any national official or employee stationed in or assigned 
to the City to advise him on matters affecting the City and to make 
recommendations thereon; coordinate with said officials and 
employees in the formulation and implementation of plans, 
programs and projects; and, when appropriate, initiate an 
administrative or judicial action against a national government 
official or employee who may have committed an offense in the 
performance of his official duties while stationed in or assigned to 
the City;  
(xviii) Authorize payment for medical care, necessary transportation, 
subsistence, hospital or medical fees of city officials and employees 


who are injured while in the performance of their official duties and 
functions, subject to the availability of funds; 
(xix) Solemnize marriages, any provision of law to the contrary 
notwithstanding;  
(xx) 
Conduct an annual palarong panlungsod, which shall feature 
traditional sports and disciplines included in national and 
international games, in coordination with the Department of 
Education (DepEd); and 
(xxi) Submit to the provincial governor the following reports:  (a) an 
annual report containing a summary of all matters pertinent to the 
management, administration, and development of the City and all 
information and data relative to its political, social and economic 
conditions, and, (b) supplemental reports when unexpected events 
and situations arise at any time during the year, particularly when 
man-made or natural disasters or calamities affect the general 
welfare of the City; 
(xxii) Enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the governance of the City 
and in the exercise of its appropriate corporate powers, as well as 
implement all approved policies, programs, projects, services and 
activities of the City: 
d) Ensure that the acts of the City’s component barangays and of its officials and 
employees are within the scope of their prescribed powers, duties and 
functions; 
e) Call conventions, conferences, seminars or meetings of elective or appointive 
officials of the City, including national officials and employees stationed in or 
assigned to the City, at such time and place and on such subject as he may deem 
important for the promotion of the general welfare of the local government unit 
and its inhabitants; 
f) Issue such executive orders for the faithful and appropriate enforcement and 
execution of laws and ordinances; 
g) Be entitled to carry the necessary firearms within his territorial jurisdiction; 
h) Act as the deputized representative of the National Police Commission, 
formulate the peace and order plan of the City and, upon its approval, 
implement the same; and as such exercise the general and operational control 
and supervision over the police forces in the City in accordance with Republic 
Act No. 6975, otherwise known as the Philippine National Police Law; and 
i) Call upon the appropriate law enforcement agencies to suppress disorder, riot, 
lawless violence, rebellion or sedition, or apprehend violators of the law when 
public interest so requires and the city police forces are inadequate to cope with 
the situation or the violators; 
(i) 
Initiate and maximize the generation of resources and revenues, and 
apply the same to the implementation of development plans, 
program objectives and priorities, particularly those resources and 


revenues programmed for agro-industrial development and 
countryside growth and progress: 
j) Require each head of an office or department to prepare and submit an estimate 
of appropriations for the ensuing calendar year, in accordance with the budget 
preparation process enshrined under Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known 
as the Local Government Code of 1991; 
k) Prepare and submit to the sanggunian for approval the executive and 
supplemental budgets of the City for the ensuing calendar year in the manner 
provided for under the Local Government Code of 1991; 
l) Ensure that all taxes and other revenues of the City are collected, and that city 
funds are applied to the payment of expenses and settlement of obligations of 
the City, in accordance with law or ordinance; 
m) Issue licenses and permits and suspend or revoke the same for any violation of 
the conditions upon which said licenses or permits had been issued, pursuant 
to law or ordinance; 
n) Issue permits, without need for approval from any national agency, for the 
holding of activities for any charitable or welfare purpose, excluding 
prohibited games of chance or shows contrary to law, public policy, and public 
morals; 
o) Require owners of illegally constructed houses, buildings or other structures 
to obtain the necessary permit, subject to such fines and penalties as may be 
imposed by law or ordinance, or to make necessary changes in the construction 
of the same when said construction violates any law or ordinance, or to order 
the demolition or removal of said house, building or structure within the 
period prescribed by law or ordinance; 
p) Adopt adequate measures to safeguard and conserve land, mineral, forest, and 
other resources of the City; 
q) Provide efficient and effective property and supply management in the City 
and protect the funds, credits, rights, and other properties of the City; and 
r) Institute or cause to be instituted administrative or judicial proceedings for 
violation of ordinances in the collection of taxes, fees, or charges, and for the 
recovery of funds and property; and cause the City to be defended against all 
suits to ensure that its interests, resources and rights shall be adequately 
protected; 
(i) 
Ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate 
facilities and, in addition thereto, shall: 
s) Ensure that the construction and repair of roads and highways funded by the 
national government shall be, as far as practicable, carried out in a spatially 
contiguous manner and in coordination with the construction and repair of the 
roads and bridges of the City; and 
t) Coordinate the implementation of technical services, including public works 
and infrastructure programs, rendered by national offices; and 


(i) 
Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other 
powers as provided for under the Local Government Code of 1991, 
and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance. 
u) During his incumbency, the city mayor shall hold office in the city hall. 
 
 
SEC. 9.   The City Vice Mayor. –  
 
(a)  
There shall be a City Vice Mayor who shall be elected in the same 
manner as the City Mayor and shall, at the time of his election, possess the same 
qualifications as the City Mayor.  He shall hold office for three years, unless sooner 
removed, and shall receive a monthly compensation corresponding to Salary 
Grade Twenty-six (26) as prescribed under the Salary Standardization Law and 
the implementing guidelines issued pursuant thereto. 
 
(b) 
The City Vice Mayor shall: 
 
(1) 
Be the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panglungsod and 
sign all warrants drawn on the city treasury for all 
expenditures 
appropriated 
for 
the 
operation 
of 
the 
Sangguniang Panglungsod; 
(2) 
Subject to civil service law, rules, and regulations, appoint all 
officials and employees of the Sangguniang Panglungsod, 
except those whose manner of appointment is specifically 
provided for under existing laws; 
(3) 
Assume the office of the city mayor for the unexpired term of 
the latter in the event of permanent vacancy; 
(4) 
Exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions of 
the city mayor in cases of temporary vacancy; and 
(5) 
Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such 
other powers as provided for under the Local Government 
Code of 1991, and those that are prescribed by law or 
ordinance. 
 
ARTICLE IV 
THE SANGGUNIANG PANGLUNGSOD 
 
 
SEC. 10.  Composition.  -   
 
(a)  The Sangguniang Panglungsod, the legislative body of the City, shall be 
composed of the city vice mayor as presiding officer, ten (10) regular Sanggunian 
Panglungsod members, the president of the city chapter of the Liga ng mga barangay, the 
president of the Panlungsod na Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan, and the 
sectoral representatives, as members. 


 
 
(b)  In addition thereto, there shall be three (3) sectoral representatives: one (1) 
from the women, and as shall be determined by the Sangguniang Panglungsod within 
ninety (90) days prior to the holding of the local elections, one (1) from the agricultural 
or industrial workers and one (1) from the other sectors, including the urban poor, 
indigenous cultural communities and disabled persons. 
 
 
(c)  The regular members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod and the sectoral 
representatives shall be elected in the manner as may be provided by law.  The elective 
members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod shall possess the same qualifications as that 
of the city mayor and vice mayor.  
 
SEC. 11. Powers, Duties, Functions and Compensation. 
– (a) The Sangguniang Panglungsod, as the legislative body of the 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 and in the 
proper exercise of the corporate powers of the City as provided for under Section 22 of 
the Local Government Code, and shall: 
 
 
(d)  They shall receive such compensations, emoluments, and allowances as may 
be determined by law. 
 
 
(e)  The Sangguniang Panglungsod shall: 
 
 
(1)  Approve ordinances and pass resolutions necessary for an efficient and 
effective city government and relative hereto shall: 
 
(a) Review all ordinances approved by the sangguniang barangay and 
executive orders issued by the punong barangay to determine whether 
there are within the scope of the prescribed powers of the sangguniang 
barangay and of the punong barangay; 
 
(b) Maintain peace and order by enacting measures to prevent and 
suppress lawlessness, disorder, riot, violence, rebellion or sedition and 
impose penalties for the violation of said ordinances; 
 
(c) Approve ordinances imposing a fine not exceeding Five Thousand 
Pesos (P5,000.00) or an imprisonment for a period not exceeding one 
(1) year, or both, at the discretion of the court, for the violation of a city 
ordinance; 
 
(d) Adopt measures to protect the inhabitants of the City from the harmful 
effects of man-made or natural disasters and calamities, and to provide 


relief services and assistance for victims during and in the aftermath of 
said disasters or calamities and in their return to productive livelihood 
following said events; 
 
(e) Enact ordinances intended to prevent, suppress and impose 
appropriate penalties for habitual drunkenness in public places, 
vagrancy, mendicancy, prostitution, establishment and maintenance of 
houses of ill-repute, gambling and other prohibited games of chance, 
fraudulent devices and ways to obtain money or property, drug 
addiction, maintenance of drug dens, drug pushing, juvenile 
delinquency, the printing, distribution and exhibition of obscene or 
pornographic materials or publications, and such other activities 
inimical to the welfare and morals of the inhabitants of the City; 
 
(f) Protect the environment and impose appropriate penalties for acts 
which endanger the environment, such as dynamite fishing and other 
forms of destructive fishing, illegal logging and smuggling of logs, 
smuggling of natural resources products and of endangered species of 
flora and fauna, slash-and-burn farming, and such other activities 
which result in pollution, acceleration of eutrophication of rivers and 
lakes or of ecological imbalance; 
 
(g) Subject to the provisions of the Local Government Code and pertinent 
laws, determine the powers and duties of officials and employees of 
the City; 
 
(h) Determine the positions and the salaries, wages, allowances and other 
emoluments and benefits of officials and employees paid wholly or 
mainly from city funds and provide for expenditure necessary for the 
proper conduct of programs, projects, services and activities of the city 
government; 
 
(i) Authorize the payment of compensation to a qualified person not in 
the government service who fills up a temporary vacancy or grant 
honorarium to any qualified official or employee designated to fill a 
temporary vacancy or in a concurrent capacity at the rate authorized 
by law; 
 
(j) Provide a mechanism and the appropriate funds therefore, to ensure 
the safety and protection of all city government property, public 
documents or records, such as those relating to property inventory, 
land ownership, records of births, marriages, deaths, assessments, 
taxation, accounts, business permits, and such other records and 


documents of public interest in the offices and departments of the city 
government; 
 
(k) When the finances of the city government allow, provide for additional 
allowances and other benefits to judges, prosecutors, public 
elementary and high school teachers, and other national government 
officials stationed in or assigned to the City; 
 
(l) Provide legal assistance to barangay officials who, in the performance 
of their official duties or on the occasion thereof have to initiate judicial 
proceedings or defend themselves against legal action; and, 
 
(m) Provide for group insurance or additional insurance coverages for all 
barangay officials, including members of barangay tanod brigades and 
other service units, with public or private insurance companies, when 
the finances of the city government allow such coverage. 
 
 
 
(2)  Generate and maximize the use of resources and revenues for the development 
plans, program objectives and priorities of the City, with particular attention to agro-
industrial development and city-wide growth and progress: 
 
(a) Approve the annual and supplemental budgets of the city government 
and appropriate funds for specific programs, projects, services and 
activities of the City, or for other purposes not contrary to law in order 
to promote the general welfare of the City and its inhabitants; 
 
(b) Subject to the provisions of Book II of the Local Government Code and 
applicable laws and upon the majority vote of all members of the 
Sangguniang Panglungsod, enact ordinances levying taxes, fees and 
charges, prescribing the rates thereof for general and specific purposes, 
and granting tax exemptions, incentives or reliefs; 
 
(c) Subject to the provisions of Book II of the Local Government Code and 
upon majority vote of all members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod, 
authorize the city mayor to negotiate and contract loans and other 
forms of indebtedness; 
 
(d) Subject to the provisions of Book II of the Local Government Code and 
applicable laws and upon the majority vote of all the members of the 
Sangguniang Panglungsod, enact ordinances authorizing the floating 
of bonds or other instruments of indebtedness, for the purpose of 
raising funds to finance development projects; 


 
(e) Appropriate funds for the construction and maintenance or the rental 
of buildings for the use of the City; and upon the majority vote of all 
members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod, authorize the city mayor to 
lease to private parties such public buildings held in a proprietary 
capacity, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations; 
 
(f) Prescribe reasonable limits and restraints on the use of property within 
the jurisdiction of the City; 
 
(g) Adopt a comprehensive land use plan for the City; 
 
(h) Reclassify land within the jurisdiction of the City, subject to the 
pertinent provisions of the Local Government Code; 
 
(i) Enact integrated zoning ordinances in consonance with the approved 
comprehensive land use plan, subject to existing laws, rules and 
regulations; establish fire limits or zones, particularly in populous 
centers, and regulate the construction, repair or modification of 
buildings within said fire limits or zones in accordance with the 
provisions of the Fire Code; 
 
(j) Subject to national law, process and approve subdivision plans for 
residential, commercial, or industrial purposes and other development 
purposes, and to collect processing fees and other charges, the proceeds 
of which shall accrue entirely to the City: Provided, however, That 
where approval of a national agency or office is required, such shall not 
be withheld for more than thirty (30) days from receipt of the 
application.  Failure to act on the application within the period stated 
above shall be deemed as approval thereof; 
 
(k) Subject to the provisions of Book II of the Local Government Code, 
grant the exclusive privilege of constructing fish corals or fish pens, 
prawn fry or kawag-kawag, or fry of any species or fish within the city 
waters; 
 
(l) With the concurrence of at least two-thirds (2/3) of all members of the 
Sangguniang Panglungsod, grant tax exemptions, incentives or reliefs 
to entities, engaged in community growth-inducing industries, subject 
to the provisions of the Local Government Code; 
 
(m) Grant loans or provide grants to other local government  units or to 
national, provincial, and city charitable, benevolent or educational 


institutions: Provided, That said institutions are operated and 
maintained within the City; 
 
(n) Regulate the numbering of residential, commercial and other buildings; 
and, 
 
(o) Regulate inspections, weighing and measuring articles of commerce. 
 
 
(3)  Subject to the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991, enact 
ordinances granting franchises and authorizing the issuance of permits or licenses, upon 
such conditions and for such purposes intended to promote the general welfare of the 
inhabitants of the City, and pursuant to this legislative authority, shall: 
 
(a) Fix and impose reasonable fees and charges for all services rendered by 
the city government to private persons or entities; 
 
(b) Regulate or fix license fees for any business or practice of profession 
within the City and the conditions under which the license for said 
business or practice of profession may be revoked and enact ordinances 
levying taxes thereon; 
 
(c) Provide for and set the terms and conditions under which public 
utilities owned by the City shall be operated by the city government, 
and prescribe the conditions under which the same may be leased to 
private persons or entities, preferably cooperatives; 
 
(d) Regulate the display of and fix the license fees for signs, signboards, or 
billboards at place or places where the profession or business 
advertised thereby is , in whole or in part, conducted; 
 
(e) Any law to the contrary notwithstanding, authorize and lices the 
establishment, operations, and maintenance of cockpits, and regulate 
cockfighting and commercial breeding of gamecocks: Provided, That 
existing rights should not be prejudiced 
 
(f) Subject to the guidelines prescribed by the Department of 
Transportation and Communications, regulate the operation of tricycles 
and grant franchises for the operation thereof within the territorial 
jurisdiction of the City; and, 
 
(g) Upon approval by a majority vote of all the members of the 
Sangguniang Panglungsod, grant a franchise to any person, 
partnership, corporation, or cooperatives to do business within the City; 


establish, construct, operate and maintain ferries, markets or 
slaughterhouses, or undertake such other activities within the City as 
may be allowed by existing laws: Provided, That cooperatives shall be 
given preference in the grant of such franchise. 
 
 
(4)  Regulate activities relative to the use of land, buildings and structures within 
the City in order to promote the general welfare and for said purpose shall: 
 
(a) Declare, prevent, or abate any nuisance; 
 
(b) Require that buildings and the premises thereof and any l and within 
the City be kept and maintained in a sanitary condition; impose 
penalties for any violation thereof; or upon failure to comply with said 
requirement, have the work done at the expense of the owner, 
administrator or tenant concerned; or require the filling up of an land 
or premises to a grade necessary for proper sanitation; 
 
(c) Regulate the disposal of clinical and other wastes from hospitals, clinics 
and other similar establishments; 
 
(d) Regulate the establishment, operation and maintenances of cafes, 
restaurants, beerhouses, hotels, motels, inns, pension houses, lodging 
houses, and other similar establishments, including tourist guides and 
transports; 
 
(e) Regulate the sale, giving away or dispensing of any intoxicating malt, 
vino, mixed or fermented liquors at any retail outlet; 
 
(f) Regulate the establishment and provide for the inspection of steam 
boilers or any heating device in buildings and the storage of 
inflammable and highly combustible materials within the City; 
 
(g) Regulate the establishment, operation, and maintenance of any 
entertainment or amusement facilities, including the theatrical 
performances, circuses, billiard pools, public dancing schools, public 
dance halls, sauna baths, massage parlors, and other places for 
entertainment, particularly those which tend to disturb the community 
or annoy the inhabitants, or require the suspension or suppression of 
the same; or prohibit certain forms of amusement or entertainment in 
order to protect the social and moral welfare of the community; and, 
 


(h) Regulate the establishment, operation and maintenance of funeral 
parlors and the burial or cremation of the dead, subject to existing laws, 
rules and regulations. 
 
 
(5)  Approve ordinances which shall ensure the efficient and effective delivery of 
the basic services and facilities as provided for under the Local Government Code, and 
in addition to said services and facilities, shall: 
 
(a) 
Provide for the establishment, maintenance, protection and 
conservation of communal forests and watersheds, tree parks, green 
belts, and other similar forest development projects; 
 
(b) 
Establish markets, slaughterhouses or animal corrals and authorize 
the operation thereof by the city government and regulate the 
construction and operation of private markets, talipapas or other 
similar buildings and structures; 
 
(c) 
Regulate the preparation and sale of meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, 
fruits, fresh dairy products and other foodstuffs for public 
consumption; 
 
(d) 
Regulate the use of streets, avenues, alleys, sidewalks, bridges, parks 
and other public places and approve the construction, improvement, 
repair and maintenance of the same; establish bus and vehicle stops 
and terminals or regulate the use of the same by privately-owned 
vehicles which serve the public; regulate garages and the operations 
of conveyances for hire; designate stands to be occupied by public 
vehicles when not in use; regulate the putting up of signs, signpost, 
awnings and awning posts in the streets; and provide for the lighting, 
cleaning and sprinkling of streets and public places; 
 
(e) 
Regulate traffic in all streets and bridges; prohibit encroachments or 
obstacles thereon and, when necessary in the interest of public 
welfare, authorize the removal of encroachments and illegal 
constructions in public places; 
 
(f) 
Subject to existing laws, establish and provide for the maintenance, 
repair and operation of an efficient waterworks system to supply 
water for the inhabitants and to purify the source of the water supply; 
regulate the construction, maintenance, repair and use of hydrants, 
pumps, cisterns and reservoirs; protect the purity and quantity of the 
water supply of the City and, for this purpose, extend the coverage 
of appropriate ordinances over all territory within the drainage area 


of said water supply and within one hundred meters (100m.) of the 
reservoir, conduit, canal, aqueduct, pumping station, or watershed 
used in connection with the water service; and regulate the 
consumption, use or wastage of water and fix and collect charges 
thereof; 
 
(g) 
Regulate the drilling and excavation of the ground for the laying of 
water, gas, sewer, and other pipes, and the construction, repair and 
maintenance of public drains, sewers, cesspoles, tunnels and similar 
structures; regulate the placing of poles and the use of crosswalks, 
curbs, and gutters; adopt measures to ensure public safety against 
open canals, manholes, live wires and other similar hazards to life 
and property; and regulate the construction and use of private water 
closets, privies and other similar structures in buildings and homes; 
 
(h) 
Regulate the placing, stringing, attaching, installing, repair and 
construction of all gas mains, electric, telegraph and telephone wires, 
conduits, meters, and other apparatus; and provide for the correction, 
condemnation or removal of the same when found to be dangerous, 
defective of otherwise hazardous to the welfare of the inhabitants; 
 
(i) 
Subject to the availability of funds and to existing laws, rules and 
regulations, establish and provide for the operation of vocational and 
technical schools and similar post-secondary institutions with the 
approval of the Department of Education and subject to existing laws 
on tuition fees and other school charges in educational institutions 
supported by the city government; 
 
(j) 
Establish a scholarship fund for poor but deserving students in 
schools located within its jurisdiction or for students residing within 
the City; 
 
(k) 
Approve measures and adopt quarantine regulations to prevent the 
introduction and spread of diseases; 
 
(l) 
Provide for an efficient and effective system of solid wastes and 
garbage collection and prohibit littering and the placing or throwing 
of garbage, refuse and other filth and wastes; 
 
(m) 
Provide for the care of disabled persons, paupers, the aged, the sick, 
persons of unsound mind, abandoned minors, juvenile delinquents, 
drug dependents, abused children and youth below eighteen (18) 
years of age; and, subject to availability of funds, establish and 


provide for the operation of centers and facilities for said needy 
disadvantaged persons; 
 
(n) 
Establish and provide for the maintenance and improvement of jails 
and detention centers, institute an a sound jail management program, 
and appropriate funds for the subsistence of detainees and convicted 
prisoners in the City; 
 
(o) 
Establish a city council whose purpose is the promotion of culture 
and the arts, coordinate with government agencies and non-
governmental organizations and, subject to the availability of funds, 
appropriate funds for the support and development of the same; and, 
 
(p) 
Establish a city council for the elderly which shall formulate policies 
and adopt measures beneficial to the elderly and to the community; 
provide incentives for non-governmental agencies and entities and, 
subject to the availability of funds, appropriate funds to support 
programs and projects for the benefit of the elderly. 
 
 
(6)  Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as 
provided for under Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government 
Code of 1991, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance. 
 
 
ARTICLE V 
PROCESS OF LEGISLATION 
 
 
 
SEC. 11. Internal Rules of Procedure .  –  
 
(a)   
On the first regular session following the election of its members and within 
ninety (90) days thereafter, the Sangguniang Panglungsod shall adopt or 
update its existing rules of procedure. 
 
(b) 
The rules of procedure shall provide for the following: 
 
(1) 
The organization of the sanggunian and the election of its officers as well as 
the creation of standing committees which shall include, but shall not be 
limited to, the committees on appropriations women and family, human 
rights, youth and sports development, environmental protection, and 
cooperatives; the general jurisdiction of each committee; and the election of 
chairman and members each of committee; 
 


(2) 
The order and calendar of business for each session; 
 
(3) 
The legislative process; 
 
(4) 
The parliamentary procedures which include the conduct of members 
during sessions; 
 
(5) 
The discipline of members or disorderly behavior and absences without 
justifiable cause for four (4) consecutive sessions, for which they may be 
censured, reprimanded, or excluded from the session, suspended for not 
more than sixty (60) days, or expelled: Provided, That the penalty of 
suspension or expulsion shall require the concurrence of at least two-thirds 
(2/3) vote of all sanggunian members: Provided, further, That a member 
convicted by  final judgment to imprisonment of at least one (1) year for 
any crime involving moral turpitude shall be automatically expelled from 
the sanggunian; and 
 
(6) 
Such other rules as the sanggunian may adopt. 
 
 
SEC. 12.  Full Disclosure of Financial and Business Interest of Sangguniang Panglungsod  
Members.  –  (a) Every Sangguniang Panglungsod member shall, upon assumption to 
office, make a full disclosure of his business and financial interest.  He shall also disclose 
any business, financial, or professional relationship or any relation by affinity or 
consanguinity within the fourth civil degree, which he may have with any person, firm 
or entity affected by any ordinance or resolution under consideration by the sanggunian 
of which he is a member, which relationship may result in conflict of interest.  Such 
relationship shall include: 
 
  
(1) 
Ownership of stock of capital or investment in the entity or firm to which 
the ordinance or resolution may apply; and 
 
(2) 
Contracts or agreements with any person or entity which the ordinance or 
resolution under consideration may affect. 
 
In the absence of specific constitutional or statutory provision applicable to this 
situation, “conflict of interest” refers in general to one where it may be reasonably 
deduced that a member of a sanggunian may not act in the public interest due to 
some private, pecuniary or other personal considerations that may tend to affect his 
judgment to the prejudice of the service or the public. 
 


(b)  The disclosure required under this Act shall be made in writing and submitted 
to the secretary of the sanggunian or the secretary of the committee of which he is a 
member.  The disclosure shall, in all cases, form part of the record of the proceedings  
and shall be made in the following manner: 
 
(1) 
Disclosure shall be made before the member participates in the 
deliberations on the ordinance or resolution under consideration:  
Provided, That if the member did not participate during the deliberations, 
the disclosure shall be made before voting on the ordinance or resolution 
on second and third readings; and 
 
(2) 
Disclosure shall he made when a member takes a position or makes a 
privilege speech on a matter that may affect the business interest, financial 
connection, or professional relationship described herein. 
 
 
SEC. 13. Session.  -   
 
(a) 
On the first day of the session immediately following the election of its 
members, the Sangguniang Panglungsod shall, by resolution, fix the day, time and place 
of its regular sessions.  The minimum number of regular sessions shall be once a week 
for the Sangguniang Panglungsod, and twice a month for the sangguniang barangay. 
 
(b)      When public interest so demands, special sessions may be called by the city 
mayor or by a majority of the members of the sanggunian. 
 
(c)    All sanggunian sessions shall be open to the public unless a closed-door 
session is ordered by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members presents, there 
being a quorum, in the public interest or for reasons of security, decency or morality.  No 
two (2) sessions, regular or special, may be held in a single day. 
 
(d)  In the case of special sessions of the sanggunian, a written notice to the 
members shall be served personally at the member’s usual place of residence at least 
twenty-four (24) hours before the special session is held. 
 
Unless concurred in by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the sanggunian members present, 
there being a quorum, no other matters may be considered at a special session except 
those stated in the notice. 
 
 
(e)     The sanggunian shall keep a journal and record of its proceedings which may 
be published upon resolution of the Sangguniang Panglungsod. 
 


 
 
 
 
SEC. 14.  Quorum. – 
 
  (a) 
A majority of all the members of the sanggunian who have been elected and 
qualified shall constitute a quorum to transact official business.  Should a question of 
quorum be raised during a session the presiding officer shall immediately proceed to 
call the roll and announce the results. 
 
(b)  Where there is no quorum, the presiding officer may declare a recess until 
such time as a quorum is constituted, or a majority of the members present may 
adjourn from day to day and may compel the immediate attendance of any member 
absent without justifiable cause by designating a member of the sanggunian, to be 
assisted by a member or members of the police force assigned to the territorial 
jurisdiction of the City of Santa Maria, to arrest the absent member and present him 
at the session. 
 
(c)  If there is still no quorum despite the enforcement of the immediately 
preceding subsection, no business shall be transacted.  The presiding officer, upon 
proper motion duly approved by the members present, shall then declare the session 
adjourned for the lack of quorum. 
 
SEC. 15.  Approval of Ordinances. – 
 
 (a)  Every ordinance enacted by the Sangguniang Panglungsod shall be 
presented to the city mayor. If the mayor approves the same, he shall affix his 
signature on each and every page thereof; otherwise, he shall veto it and return the 
same with his objections to the sanggunian, which may proceed to reconsider the 
same. The sanggunian may override the veto of the city mayor by two-thirds (2/3) 
vote of all its members, thereby making the ordinance or resolution effective for all 
legal intents and purposes. 
 
    (b)  The veto shall be communicated by the city mayor to the sanggunian 
within ten (10) days; otherwise, the ordinance shall be deemed approved as if he had 
signed it. 
 
 
SEC. 16.  Veto Power of the City Mayor. –  
 


(a)  The city mayor may veto any ordinance of the Sangguniang Panglungsod on 
the ground that it is ultra vires or prejudicial to the public welfare, stating his reasons 
therefore in writing. 
 
(b)  The city mayor shall have the power to veto any particular item or items of an 
appropriations ordinance, an ordinance or resolution adopting a local development plan, 
any public investment program, or an ordinance directing the payment of money or 
creating liability.  In such case, the veto shall not affect the item or items which are not 
objected to.  The vetoed item or items shall not take effect unless the Sangguniang 
Panglungsod overrides the veto in the manner herein provided; otherwise, the item or 
items in the appropriations ordinance of the previous year corresponding to those vetoed, 
if any, shall be deemed reenacted. 
 
(c)  The city mayor may veto an ordinance or resolution only once.  The 
sanggunian may override the veto of the city mayor by a two-thirds(2/3) vote of all its 
members, thereby making the ordinance effective even without the approval of the city 
mayor. 
 
 
SEC. 17.  Review of Barangay Ordinances by the Sangguniang Panglungsod. –  
 
(a)  Within ten (10) days after its enactment, the sangguniang barangay shall 
furnish copies of all barangay ordinances to the Sangguniang Panglungsod for review as 
to whether the ordinances is consistent with law and city ordinances. 
 
 
 
(b)  If the Sangguniang Panglungsod fails to take action on barangay ordinances 
within thirty (30) days from receipt thereof, the same shall be deemed approved. 
 
(c)  The Sanggunian Panglungsod finds the barangay ordinances inconsistent with 
law or city ordinances, the Sangguniang Panglungsod shall, within thirty (30) days from 
receipt thereof, return the same with its comments and recommendations to the 
sanguniang barangay concerned for adjustment, amendment, or modification; in which 
case, the effectivity of the barangay ordinance is suspended until such time as the revision 
called for is effected. 
 
 
SEC. 18.  Enforcement of Disapproved Ordinances or Resolutions. - Any attempt to 
enforce any ordinance or any resolution approving the local development plan and 
public investment program, after the disapproval thereof, shall be sufficient ground for 
the suspension or dismissal of the official or employee concerned. 
 
SEC. 19. Effectivity of Ordinances or Resolutions. –  
 


(a)  Unless otherwise stated in the ordinance or the resolution approving the local 
development plan and public investment program, the same shall take effect after ten 
(10) days from the date a copy thereof is posted in a bulletin board at the entrance of the 
city hall of Santa Maria, and in at least two (2) other conspicuous places in the City of 
Santa Maria. 
 
(b)  The secretary to the Sangguniang Panglungsod shall cause the posting of an 
ordinance or resolution in the bulletin board at the entrance of the city hall of Santa Maria 
and in at least two (2) conspicuous places in the City of Santa Maria not later than five (5) 
days after approval thereof. 
 
The text of the ordinance or resolution shall be disseminated and posted in Filipino 
or English and in the language or dialect understood by the majority of the people in the 
City and the secretary of the Sangguniang Panglungsod shall record such fact in a book 
kept for the purpose, stating the dates of approval and posting. 
 
(c)  The main features of the ordinance or resolution duly enacted or adopted shall, 
in addition to being posted, be published once in a local newspaper of general circulation 
within the City:  Provided, That in the absence thereof, the ordinance or resolution shall 
be published in any newspaper of general circulation:  Provided, further, That the gist of 
all ordinances with penal sanctions shall also be published in a newspaper of general 
circulation. 
 
 
ARTICLE VI 
DISQUALIFICATION AND SUCCESSION OF ELECTIVE CITY OFFICIALS 
 
 
SEC. 20.  Disqualification for Elective Public City Officials. – The following persons are 
disqualified from running for any elective position in the City: 
 
(a)  Those sentenced by final judgment for an offense involving moral turpitude 
or for an offense punishable by one (1) year or more of imprisonment, within two (2) 
years after serving sentence; 
 
(b)  Those removed from office as a result of an administrative case; 
 
(c)  Those convicted by final judgment for violating the oath of allegiance to the 
Republic of the Philippines; 
 
(d)  Those with dual citizenship; 
 
(e)  Fugitives from justice in criminal or non-political cases here and abroad; 


 
(f)  Permanent residents in a foreign country or those who have acquired the right 
to reside abroad and continue to avail of the same right after the effectivity of the Local 
Government Code; and 
 
(g)  The insane or feeble-minded. 
 
 
SEC. 21.  Permanent Vacancy in the Office of the City Mayor and City Vice-Mayor.  –  
 
 (a)  If a permanent vacancy occurs in the office of the City mayor, the city vice-
mayor concerned shall become the city mayor.  If permanent vacancy occurs in the office 
of the vice-mayor, the highest ranking Sangguniang Panglungsod member or, in case of 
his permanent incapacity, the second highest ranking Sangguniang Panglungsod 
member, shall become the city mayor or 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 Panglungsod 
members shall be resolved by drawing of lots. 
 
(c)  The successors as defined herein shall serve only the unexpired terms of their 
predecessors. 
 
For purposes of this Act, a permanent vacancy arises when an elective local official 
fills 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 his office. 
 
For purposes of succession as provided in this Act, 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 City in the immediately preceding local 
election. 
 
 
SEC. 22.  Permanent Vacancies in the Sanggunian. – Permanent vacancies in the 
Sangguniang Panglungsod where automatic succession as provided above does not 
apply shall be filled by appointment in the following manner: 
 
(1) 
The President, through the Executive Secretary, shall make the aforesaid 
appointment. 
 
(2) 
Only the nominee of the political party under which the sanggunian 
member concerned had been elected shall be appointed in the manner herein 


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 ground 
for administrative action against the official responsible thereof; 
 
(3) 
In case the permanent vacancy is caused by a sanggunian member who 
does not belong to any political party, the city mayor shall, upon recommendation 
of the Sangguniang Panglungsod, appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy; 
and, 
 
 
 
(4) 
In case of vacancy in the representation of the youth and the barangay in 
the Sangguniang Panglungsod, said vacancy shall be filled automatically by the 
official next-in-rank of the organization concerned. 
 
 
SEC. 23.  Temporary Vacancy in the Office of the City Mayor.  -   
 
(a)  When the city mayor is temporarily incapacitated to perform his duties for 
physical of legal reasons such as, but not limited to leave of absence, travel abroad, and 
suspension from office, the city vice-mayor, or the highest ranking Sangguniang 
Panglungsod member, shall automatically exercise the powers and perform the duties 
and functions of the city mayor, except the power to appoint, suspend, or dismiss 
employees which can only be exercised if the period of temporary incapacity exceeds 
thirty (30) working days. 
       
(b)    Said temporary incapacity shall terminate upon submission to the 
Sangguniang Panglungsod of a written declaration by the city mayor that he has 
reported back to office.  In cases where the temporary incapacity is due to legal causes, 
the city mayor shall also submit necessary documents showing that said legal causes no 
longer exist. 
 
(c)    When the city mayor is traveling within the country but outside his territorial 
jurisdiction for a period not exceeding three (3) consecutive days, he may designate in 
writing the officer-in-charge of his office. Such authorization shall specify the powers and 
functions that the local official concerned shall exercise in the absence of the city mayor 
except the power to appoint, suspend, or dismiss employees. 
 
(d)  In the event, however, that the city mayor fails or refuses to issue such 
authorization, the city vice-mayor or the highest ranking Sangguniang Panglungsod 
member, as the case may be, shall have the right to assume the powers, duties and 


functions of the said office in the fourth day of absence of the city mayor, subject to the 
limitations provided in subsection (c) hereof. 
     
(e) Except as provided above, the city mayor shall in no case authorize any local 
official to assume the powers, duties, and functions of the office, other than the city 
vice-mayor, or the highest ranking member of the Sangguniang Panglungsod, as the 
case may be. 
 
 
ARTICLE VII 
CITY OFFICERS IN GENERAL 
 
 
 
SEC. 24.  City Offices.  -   
 
(a)  There shall be established in the city government of the City of Santa Maria the 
following offices for its elective officials: 
 
(1) The Office of the City Mayor; 
 
(2) The Office of the City Vice Mayor; 
 
(3) The Office of the Members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod; 
 
(b)  The City shall likewise establish the following offices: 
 
(1)  Finance Department.  To be composed of the Office of the City Treasurer and 
Assistant City Treasurer, the Office of the City Assessor and the Assistant City 
Assessor, the Office of the City Accountant, and the Office of the City Budget 
Officer; 
 
(2)  Health Department.  To be composed of the Office of the City Health Officer, 
the Office of the City Veterinarian, and the Office of the City Environemnt and 
Natural Resources Officer; 
 
(3)  Legal Department.  To be composed of the Office of the City Legal Officer; 
 
(4)  General Services Department.  To be composed of the Office of the City General 
Services, Office of the City Civil Registrar, Office of the City Administrator, Office 
of the City Social Welfare and Development Officer, Office of the City Information 
Officer, Office of the City Population Officer, Office of the City Cooperatives 
Officer, and the Office of the Secretary of the Sanggunian; 
 


(5)  Planning Department.  To be composed of the Office of the City Engineer, 
Office of the City Architect, and the Office of the City Planning and Development 
Coordinator. 
 
(c)  The city mayor, as the chief executive of the City, shall have the power to designate 
the heads of the aforementioned departments, subject to the approval of the members of 
the Sangguniang Panglungsod. 
 
 
 
 
ARTICLE VIII 
THE APPOINTIVE OFFICIALS OF THE CITY: 
THEIR QUALIFICATIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES 
 
 
SEC. 25.  The Secretary to the Sangguniang Panglungsod.  -  (a)  There shall be a 
secretary to the Sangguniang Panglungsod with the rank and salary equal to a head of 
department or office, who shall be appointed by the city mayor. 
 
 
(b)  No person shall be appointed secretary to the Sangguniang Panglungsod 
unless he is a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City of Santa Maria, of good 
moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably in law, commerce or public 
administration from a recognized college or university, and a first grade civil service 
eligible or its equivalent. 
 
 
(c)  The term of the secretary to the Sangguniang Panglungsod is in accordance 
with the Local Government Code and Civil Service Law . 
 
 
(d)  The secretary to the Sangguniang Panglungsod shall take charge of the Office 
of the Sangguniang Panglungsod and shall: 
 
(1) Attend meetings of the Sangguniang Panglungsod and keep a journal of its 
proceedings; 
 
(2) Keep the seal of the City and affix the same with his signature to all 
ordinances, resolutions, and other official acts of the Sangguniang 
Panglungsod and present the same to the presiding officer for his signature; 
 
(3) Forward to the city mayor, for approval, copies of ordinances enacted by the 
Sangguniang Panglungsod and duly certified by the presiding officer; 
 
(4) Furnish, upon request of any interest party, certified copies of records of 
public character in his custody upon payment to the city treasurer of such fees 
as may be prescribed by ordinance; 


 
(5) Record in a book for the purpose all ordinances and resolutions enacted or 
adopted by the Sangguniang Panglungsod, with the dates of passage and 
publication thereof; 
 
(6) Keep his office and all non-confidential records therein open to the public 
during the usual business hours; 
 
(7) Translate into the dialect used by the majority of inhabitants all ordinances 
and resolutions immediately after their approval, and cause the publication of 
the same together with the original version in the manner provided for under 
the Local Government Code; 
 
(8) Take custody of the local archives and, where, applicable, the local library and 
annually account for the same; and, 
 
(9) Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as 
provided for under Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code of 1991, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance. 
 
 
SEC. 26.  The City Treasurer.  -   
 
(a)  The city treasurer shall be appointed by the Secretary of Finance from a list of 
at least three ranking eligible recommendees of the city mayor, subject to civil service 
law, rules and regulations. 
 
 
(b)  The city treasurer shall be under the administration and supervision of the city 
mayor, to whom he shall report regularly on the tax collection efforts of the City. 
 
 
(c)  No person shall be appointed city treasurer unless he is a citizen of the 
Philippines, a resident of the City of Santa Maria, of good moral character, a holder of a 
college degree, preferably in commerce, public administration, or law, from a recognized 
college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent.  He must 
have acquired experience in treasury or accounting service for at least five (5) years in the 
case of the city treasury. 
 
 
(d)  The city treasurer shall receive such compensation, emoluments and 
allowances as may be determined by law. 
 
 
(e)  The city treasurer shall take charge of the Treasury Office and shall: 
 


(1)  Advise the city mayor, Sangguniang Panglungsod and other local government 
and national officials concerned regarding disposition of local government funds 
and such other matters relative to public finance; 
 
(2)  Take custody and exercise proper management of funds of the City; 
 
(3) Take charge of the disbursement of all funds of the City and such other funds 
the custody of which may be entrusted to him by law or other competent 
authority; 
 
(4) Inspect private commercial and industrial establishments within the 
jurisdiction of the City in relation to the implementation of tax ordinances, 
pursuant to the provisions of the Local Government Code; 
 
(5)  Maintain and update the tax information system of the City; and, 
 
(6)  Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as 
provided for under Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance. 
 
SEC. 27.  The Assistant City Treasurer.  -   
 
(a)  The assistant city treasurer may be appointed by the Secretary of Finance from 
a list of at least three (3) ranking eligible recommendees of the city mayor, subject to civil 
service laws, rules and regulations. 
 
 
(b)  No person shall be appointed assistant city treasurer unless he is a citizen of 
the Philippines, a resident of the City of Santa Maria, of good moral character, a holder 
of a college degree preferably in commerce, public administration, or law from a 
recognized college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent.  
He must have acquired at least five (5) years experience in treasury or accounting. 
 
 
(c)  The assistant city treasurer shall receive such compensation, emoluments and 
allowances as may be determined by law. 
 
 
(d)  The assistant city treasurer shall assist the city treasurer and perform such 
other duties as the latter may assign him.  He shall have authority to administer oaths 
concerning notices and notifications to those delinquent in the payment of the real 
property tax and concerning official matters relating to the accounts of the city treasurer 
otherwise arising from the offices of the city treasurer and the city assessor. 
 
SEC. 28.  The City Assessor.  –  
 


(a)  The city assessor must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City of 
Santa Maria, of good moral character, and a holder of a college degree preferably in civil 
or mechanical engineering, commerce, or any other related course from a recognized 
college or university, and a first-grade civil service eligible or its equivalent.  He must 
have acquired experience in real property assessment work or in any related field for at 
least five (5) years immediately preceding the day of his appointment. 
 
 
(b)  The city assessor shall receive such compensation, emoluments and allowances 
as may be determined by law; 
 
 
(c)   The city assessor shall take charge of the City Assessor’s Office and shall: 
 
(1) Ensure that all laws and policies governing the appraisal and assessment 
of real properties for taxation purposes are properly executed; 
(2)  Initiate, review, and recommend changes in policies and objectives, 
plans and programs, techniques, procedures and practices in the valuation 
and assessment of real properties for taxation purposes; 
 
(3)  Establish a systematic method of real property assessment; 
 
(4)  Install and maintain a real property identification and accounting 
system; 
 
(5)  Prepare, install and maintain a system of tax mapping, showing 
graphically all properties subject to assessment and gather all data 
concerning the same; 
 
(6)  Conduct frequent physical surveys to verify and determine whether all 
real properties within the City are properly listed in the assessment rolls; 
 
(7)  Exercise the functions of appraisal and assessment primarily for 
taxation purposes of all real properties in the City; 
 
(8)  Prepare a schedule of the fair market value of the different classes of 
real properties in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government 
Code; 
 
(9) Issue, upon request of any interested party, certified copies of 
assessment records of real property or all other records relative to its 
assessment, upon payment of a service charge or fee to the city treasure; 
 


(10) Submit every semester a report of all assessments, as well as 
cancellations and modifications of assessments, to the city mayor and the 
Sangguniang Panglungsod;  
 
(11) Attend personally through an authorized representative all sessions of 
the Local Board of Assessment Appeals whenever his or her assessment is 
subject of the appeal, and present or submit any information or record in 
his or her possession as may be required by the Board; and 
 
(12)  Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other 
powers as provided for under Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as 
the Local Government Code of 1991, and those that are prescribed by law 
or ordinance. 
 
 
SEC. 29.  The Assistant City Assessor.  –  
 
  
a)  The assistant city assessor must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the 
City of Santa Maria, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably in 
civil or mechanical engineering, commerce, or any related course from a recognized 
college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent.  He must 
have acquired experience in assessment or in any related field for at least three (3) years 
immediately preceding the day of his appointment. 
 
 
b)  The assistant city assessor shall receive such compensation, emoluments and 
allowances as may be determined by law. 
 
 
c)  The assistant city assessor shall assist the city assessor and perform such other 
duties as the latter may assign to him. He shall have the authority to administer oaths on 
all declarations of real property for purposes of assessment. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SEC. 30.  The City Accountant.  –  
 
a)  The City Accountant must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City 
of Santa Maria, of good moral character, a certified public accountant and must have 
acquired experience in the treasury or accounting service for at least five (5) years. 
 
b)  The City Accountant shall receive compensation, emoluments and allowances 
as may be determined by law. 


 
c)  The City Accountant shall take charge of both the Office of the Accounting and 
Internal Audit Services, and shall: 
 
1. Install and maintain an internal audit system in the City; 
2. Prepare and submit financial statements to the City Mayor and to the 
Sangguniang Panlungsod; 
3. Appraise the Sangguniang Panlungsod and other officials on the financial 
condition and operations of the City; 
4. Certify to the availability of budgetary allotment from which expenditures and 
obligations may be properly charged; 
5. Review supporting documents before the preparation of vouchers to determine 
completeness of requirements; 
6. Prepare statement of cash advances, liquidations, salaries, allowances, 
reimbursements and remittances pertaining to the City; 
7. Prepare statements of journal vouchers, their liquidations, and other 
adjustments related thereto; 
8. Post individual disbursements to subsidiary ledgers and index cards; 
9. Maintain individual ledgers for officials and employees of the City pertaining 
to payrolls and deductions; 
10. Record and post in index cards details of purchased furniture, fixtures and 
equipment, including disposal thereof, if any; 
11. Account for all issued requests for obligations and maintain and keep all 
records and reports related thereto; 
12. Prepare journals and the analysis of obligations and maintain and keep all 
records and reports related thereto; and 
13. Perform other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as provided 
for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are 
prescribed by law or ordinance. 
 
d) The incumbent Chief Accountant in the office of the Treasurer shall be given 
preference in the appointment to the position of Accountant. 
 
 
 
SEC 31. The City Budget Officer.- 
 
a) The City Budget Officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City 
of Santa Maria, 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. 


b) The City Budget Officer shall receive compensation, emoluments and allowances 
as may be determined by law. 
c) The City Budget Officer shall take charge of the City Budget Department and shall: 
1. Prepare forms, orders and circulars embodying instructions on budgetary and 
appropriation matters for the signature of the City Mayor; 
2. Review and consolidate the budget proposals of different departments and 
offices of the City; 
3. Assist the City Mayor in the preparation of the budget and during and after 
the budget hearings; 
4. Study and evaluate budgetary implications of proposed legislations and 
submit comments and recommendations thereon; 
5. Submit periodic budgetary reports to the DBM; 
6. Coordinate with the City Treasurer, the City Accountant and the City Planning 
and Development officer for the purpose of budgeting; 
7. Assist the Sangguniang Panlungsod in reviewing the approved budgets of the 
component barangays; 
8. Coordinate with the City Planning and Development Office in the formulation 
of the development plan of the City; and 
9. Perform other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as provided 
for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are 
prescribed by law or ordinance. 
 
  
SEC 32. The City Planning and Development Officer.- 
 
a) The City Planning and Development Officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, 
a resident of the City of Santa Maria, of good moral character, a holder of a college 
degree preferably in urban planning, development studies, economics, public 
administration, or in any related course obtained from a recognized college or 
universities, a first 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. 
b) The City Planning and Development Officer shall receive compensation, 
emoluments and allowances as may be determined by law. 
c) The City Planning and Development Officer shall take charge of the City Planning 
and Development Coordinating Office, and shall: 
1. Formulate integrated economic, social, physical and other development plans 
and policies for the consideration of the City; 
2. Conduct continuing studies, researchers and training programs necessary to 
evolve plans and programs for implementation; 
3. Integrate and coordinate all sectoral plans and studies undertaken by the 
different functional groups or agencies; 


4. Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the different development 
programs, projects and activities in the City in accordance with the approved 
development plan; 
5. Prepare comprehensive plans and other development planning documents for 
the consideration of the Local Development Council; 
6. Analyze the income and expenditure patterns, and formulate and recommend 
fiscal plans and policies for the consideration of the finance committee of the 
Sangguniang Panlungsod; 
7. Promote people’s participation in development planning within the City; 
8. Exercise supervision and control over the secretariat of the Local Development 
Council; and 
9. Perform other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as provided  
for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are 
prescribed by law or ordinance.  
 
    
SEC 33. The City Engineer.- 
 
a) The City Engineer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City of 
Santa Maria, of good moral character, a licensed civil engineer and must have 
acquired experience in the practice of profession for at least five (5) years. 
b) The City Engineer shall receive compensation, emoluments and allowances as 
may be determined by law. 
c) The City Engineer shall take charge of the City Engineering Office, and shall: 
1. Initiate, review and recommend changes in policies and objectives, plans and 
programs, techniques, procedures and practices in infrastructure development 
and public works in general of the City; 
2. Advise the City Mayor on infrastructure, public works and other engineering 
matters; 
3. Administer, coordinate, supervise and control the construction, maintenance, 
improvement and repair of roads, bridges, other engineering and public works 
projects of the City. 
4. Provide engineering services to the City, including investigations and surveys, 
engineering designs, feasibility studies and project management; and 
5. Perform other duties, functions and exercise such other powers as provided for 
under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are 
prescribed by law or ordinance. 
 
SEC 34. The Assistant City Engineer.- 
 
a) The Assistant City Engineer must be a citizen of the Philippines a resident of the 
City of Santa Maria, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree 
preferably in civil or mechanical engineering, commerce or any related course 
from a recognized college or university, a first grade civil service eligible or its 


equivalent and must have acquired experience in the practice of profession for at 
least three (3) years. 
b) The Assistant City Engineer shall receive compensation, emoluments, and 
allowances as may be determined by law. 
c) The Assistant City Engineer shall assist the City Engineer and perform such other 
duties as he latter may assign. 
 
SEC 35. The City Health Officer.- 
 
a) The City Health Officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City 
of Santa Maria, of good moral character, a licensed medical practitioner, and must 
have acquired experience in the practice of the profession for at least five (5) years. 
b) The City Health Officer shall receive compensation, emoluments, and allowances 
as may be determined by law. 
c) The City Health Officer shall take charge of the City of the Office of the City Health 
Services, and shall: 
1. Supervise the personnel and staff of the said office, formulate program 
implementation guidelines and rules and regulations for the operation of the 
said office for the approval of the City Mayor in order to assist the latter in the 
efficient, effective, and economical implementation of health service programs 
geared to implement health-related projects and activities; 
2. Formulate measures for the consideration of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and 
provide technical assistance and support to the City Mayor in carrying out 
activities to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate 
facilities relative to health services as provided for under Section 17 of the Local 
Government Code of 1991, as amended; 
3. Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the City Mayor, 
implement these with the health programs and projects which the City Mayor 
is empowered to implement and which the Sangguniang Panlungsod is 
empowered to provide for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as 
amended; 
4. In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the City Health Officer shall: 
 
(i) Formulate and implement policies, plans and projects to promote the 
health of the people in the City; 
(ii) Advice the City Mayor and the Sangguniang Panlungsod on matters 
pertaining to health. 
(iii) Execute and enforce all laws, ordinances and regulations relating to 
public health; 
1. 
Recommend to the Sangguniang Panlungsod  through the local health 
board, the passage of ordinance as may be deemed necessary for the 
preservation of public health; 


2. 
Recommend the prosecution of any violation of sanitary laws, 
ordinances or regulations; 
3. 
Direct the sanitary inspection of all businesses, establishments, stores 
selling food items or providing accommodations such as hotels, motels, 
lodging houses, pension houses and the like, in accordance with the 
Sanitation Code of the Philippines; 
4. 
Conduct health information campaigns and render health intelligence 
services; 
5. 
Coordinate with other government agencies and nongovernmental 
organizations involved in the promotion and delivery of health 
services; and 
6. 
Be in the frontline of the delivery of health services, particularly during 
and in the aftermath of man-made and natural disasters or calamities; 
and 
 
5. Perform other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as provided 
for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are 
prescribed by law or ordinance. 
 
 
SEC 36. The Assistant City Health Officer.- 
 
a) The Assistant City Health Officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident 
of the City of Santa Maria, of good moral character, a licensed medical practitioner, 
and must have acquired experience in the practice of the profession for at least 
three (3) years. 
b) The Assistant City Health Officer shall receive compensation, emoluments and 
allowances as may be determined by law. 
c) The Assistant City Health Officer shall assist the City Health Officer and perform 
such other duties as the latter may assign. 
SEC 37. The City Civil Registrar.- 
 
a) The City Civil Registrar must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City 
of Santa Maria, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree obtained from 
a recognized college or university, a first grade civil service eligible or its 
equivalent and must have acquired experience in civil registry work for at least 
five (5) years. 
b) The City Civil Registrar shall receive compensation, emoluments and allowances 
as may be determined by law. 


c) The City Civil Registrar shall be responsible for the civil registration program in 
the City of Santa Maria pursuant to the Civil Registry Law, the Civil Code and 
other pertinent laws, rules and regulations issued to implement them. 
d) The City Civil Registrar shall take charge of the Office of the City Civil Registry 
and shall: 
1. Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the City Mayor, 
implement the same, particularly those which have to do with the civil registry 
programs and projects which the City Mayor is empowered to provide for 
under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended; 
2. In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the City Civil Registrar shall: 
(i) Accept all registrable documents and judicial decrees affecting the civil 
status of persons. 
(ii) File, keep and preserve in a secure place the books required by law; 
(iii) Transcribe and enter immediately upon receipt all registrable documents 
and judicial decrees affecting the civil status of persons in the appropriate 
civil registry books; 
(iv) Transmit to the Office of the Civil Registrar-General, within the prescribed 
period, duplicate copies of registered documents required by law; 
(v) Issue certified transcripts or copies of any certificate or registered 
document upon payment of the required fees to the City Treasurer; 
(vi) Receive application for the issuance of a marriage license and, after 
determining that the requirements and supporting certificates and 
publication thereof for the prescribed period have been complied with, 
issue the license upon payment of the authorized fee to the City Treasurer; 
ad 
(vii) Coordinate with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in conducting 
educational campaigns or vital registration and assist in the preparation of 
demographic and other statistics for the City of Santa Maria; and 
3. Perform other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as provided 
for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are 
prescribed by law or ordinance. 
SEC 38. The Assistant City Civil Registrar.- 
 
a) The Assistant City Civil Registrar must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident 
of the City of Santa Maria, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree 
from a recognized college or university, a first grade civil service eligible or its 
equivalent and must have acquired experience in civil registry work for at least 
three (3) years. 
b) The Assistant City Civil Registrar shall receive compensation, emoluments and 
allowances as may be determined by law. 


c) The Assistant City Civil Registrar shall assist the City Civil Registrar and perform 
such other duties as the latter may assign. 
SEC 39. The City Administrator.- 
 
a) The City Administrator must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City 
of Santa Maria, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferable in 
public administration, law or in any other related course 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. 
b) The term of the City Administrator shall be coterminous with that of the 
appointing authority. 
c) The City Administrator shall receive compensation, emoluments and allowances 
as may be determined by law. 
d) The City Administrator shall take charge of the Administrator’s Office, and shall: 
1. Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the City Mayor, 
implement the same, particularly those which have to do with the management 
and administration-related programs and projects which the City Mayor is 
empowered to implement and which the Sangguniang Panlungsod is 
empowered to provide for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as 
amended; 
2. Assist in the coordination of the work of all the officials of the City under the 
supervision, direction and control of the City Mayor and, for this purpose, he 
or she may convene the chiefs of offices and other officials of the local 
government unit. 
3. Establish and maintain a sound personnel program for the local government 
unit designed to promote career development and uphold the merit principle 
in the local government service; 
4. Conduct a continuing organizational development of the local government 
unit with the end in view of instituting effective administrative reforms; 
5. Be in the frontline of the delivery of administrative support services, 
particularly those related to the situations during and in the aftermath of man-
made and natural disasters or calamities; 
6. Recommend to the Sangguniang Panlungsod and advice the City Mayor on all 
matters relative to the management and administration of the City; and 
7. Perform other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as provided 
for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are 
prescribed by law or ordinance. 
SEC 40. The City Legal Officer.- 


 
a) The City Legal Officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City 
of Santa Maria, of good moral character, a member of the Philippine bar and must 
have practiced the profession for at least five (5) years. 
b) The term of the City legal Officer shall be coterminous with that of the appointing 
authority. 
c) The City Legal Officer shall receive compensation, emoluments and allowances as 
may be determined by law. 
d) The City Legal Officer, the chief legal counsel of the City, shall take charge of the 
Office of the City Legal Service, and shall: 
1. Formulate measures for the consideration of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and 
provide legal assistance and support to the City Mayor in carrying out the 
delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities; 
2. Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the City Mayor, 
implement the same, particularly those which have to do with the programs 
and projects related to legal services which the City Mayor is empowered to 
implement and which the Sangguniang Panlungsod is empowered to provide; 
3. Represent the City in all civil actions and special proceedings wherein the local 
government unit or any official thereof, in his or her official capacity is a party: 
Provided, that in actions or proceedings where the City of Santa Maria is a 
party adverse to the provincial government or to another component city, a 
special legal officer may be employed to represent the adverse  party; 
4. When required by the City Mayor or Sanggunian, draft ordinances, contracts, 
bonds, leases and other instruments, involving any interest of the local 
government unit; and provide comments and recommendations on any 
instruments already drawn; 
5. Render an opinion in writing on any question of law when requested to do so 
by the City Mayor or Sangguian; 
6. Investigate or cause to be investigated any local official or employee for 
administrative neglect or misconduct in office, and recommend appropriate 
action the City Mayor or Sanggunian, as the case may be;  
7. Investigate or cause to be investigated any person, form or corporation holding 
any franchise or exercising any public privilege for failure to comply with any 
term or condition in the grant of such franchise or privilege, and recommend 
appropriate action to the City Mayor or Sanggunian, as the case may be; 
8. When directed by the City Mayor or Sanggunian, initiate and prosecute in the 
interest of the local government unit concerned any civil action on any bond, 
lease or other contract upon any breach or violation thereof; 
9. Review and submit recommendations and ordinances approved and executive 
orders issued by component units; 


10. Recommend measures to the Sangguniang Panlungsod and advise the City 
Mayor on all matters related to upholding the rule of law; 
11. Be in the frontline of protecting human rights and prosecuting any violation 
thereof, particularly those which occur during and in the aftermath of man-
made and natural disasters or calamities; and 
12. Perform other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as provided 
for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are 
prescribed by law or ordinance. 
 
SEC 41. The City Social Welfare and Development Officer.- 
 
a) The City Social Welfare and Development Officer must be a citizen of the 
Philippines, a resident of the City of Santa Maria, of good moral character, a 
licensed social worker or a holder of a college degree preferably in social work, 
sociology or in 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 social work for at least five (5) years 
immediately preceding the date of appointment. 
b) The City Social Welfare and Development Officer shall receive compensation, 
emoluments and allowances as may be determined by law. 
c) The City Social Welfare and Development Officer shall take charge of the Office of 
the Social Welfare and Development and shall: 
1. Formulate the measures for the approval of the Sangguninag Panlungsod and 
provide technical assistance and support to the City Mayor in carrying out 
measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate 
facilities relative to social welfare and development services; 
2. Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the City Mayor, 
implement the same, particularly those which have to do with the social 
welfare programs and projects which the City Mayor is empowered to 
implement and which the Sangguniang Panlungsod is empowered to provide; 
3. Identify the basic needs of the needy, the disadvantaged and impoverished and 
develop and implement appropriate measures to alleviate their  problems and 
improve their living conditions; 
4. Provide relief and appropriate crisis intervention for victims of abuse and 
exploitation and recommend appropriate measures to deter further abuse and 
exploitation; 
5. Assist the City Mayor in implementing the barangay level program for the total 
development and protection of children up to six (6) years of age; 
6. Facilitate the implementation of welfare programs for the disabled, elderly and 
victims of drugs addiction, the rehabilitation of persons deprived of liberty and 


parolees, the prevention of juvenile delinquency and such other activities 
which would eliminate and minimize the ill-effects of poverty; 
7. Initiate and support youth welfare programs that will enhance the role of the 
youth in nation building; 
8. Coordinate with the government agencies and nongovernmental organizations 
which have for their purpose the promotion and the protection of all the needy, 
disadvantaged, underprivileged or impoverished groups or individuals, 
particularly those identified to be vulnerable and high risk to exploitation, 
abuse and neglect; 
9. Be in the frontline of the delivery of services particularly those which have to 
do with the immediate relief and assistance during and in the aftermath of 
man-made and natural disasters or calamities; 
10. Recommend to the Sangguniang Panlungsod and advise the City Mayor on all 
other matters related to social welfare and development services which will 
improve the livelihood and the living conditions of the City’s inhabitants; and 
11. Perform other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as provided 
or under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are 
prescribed by law or ordinance. 
SEC 42. The City Veterinarian.-  
 
a) The City Veterinarian must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City of 
Santa Maria, of good moral character, a licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, 
and must have practiced the profession for at least three (3) years. 
b) The City Veterinarian shall receive compensation, emoluments and allowances as 
may be determined by law. 
c) The City Veterinarian shall take charge of the Office of the Veterinary Services, 
and shall: 
1. Formulate measures for the consideration of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and 
provide technical assistance and support to the City Mayor in carrying out 
measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate 
facilities; 
2. Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the City Mayor, 
implement the same, particularly those which have to do with veterinary-
related activities which the City Mayor is empowered to implement and which 
the Sangguniang Panlungsod is empowered to provide; 
3. Advise the City Mayor on all matters pertaining to the slaughter of animals for 
human consumption and the regulation of slaughterhouses; 
4. Regulate the keeping of domestic animals; 
5. Regulate and inspect poultry, milk and dairy products for public consumption; 
6. Enforce all laws for the prevention of cruelty to animals; 


7. Take the necessary measures to eradicate, prevent or cure all forms of animal 
diseases; 
8. Be in the frontline of veterinary-related activities, including the outbreak of 
highly contagious and deadly diseases, and in situations resulting in the 
depletion of animals for work and for human consumption, particularly those 
arising from and in the aftermath of man-made and natural disasters or 
calamities; 
9. Recommend to the Sangguniang Panlungsod and advise the City Mayor on all 
other matters relative to the veterinary services which will increase the number 
and improve the quality of livestock, poultry and other domestic animals used 
for work or for human consumption; and 
10. Perform other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as provided 
for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are 
prescribed by law or ordinance. 
SEC 43. The City General Services Officer.- 
 
a) The  City general Services Officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident 
of the City of Santa Maria, 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, property, solid waste disposal and general sanitation for at least five (5) 
years. 
b) The City General Services Officer shall receive compensation, emoluments and 
allowances as may be determined by law. 
c) The City General Services Officer shall take charge of the Office of the General 
Services, and shall: 
1. Formulate measures for the consideration of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and 
provide technical assistance and support to the City Mayor in carrying out 
measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate 
facilities which require general services expertise in technical support services; 
2. Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the City Mayor, 
implement these with general services that are supportive to the welfare of the 
inhabitants to the City which the City Mayor is empowered to implement and 
which the Sangguniang Panlungsod is empowered to provide; 
3. Take custody of and be accountable for all properties, real or personal, owned 
by the City and those granted to it in the form of donation, reparation, 
assistance and counterpart of joint projects; 
4. With the approval of the City Mayor, assign building or land space to local 
officials or other public officials, who by law are entitled to the space; 


5. Recommend to the City Mayor reasonable rental rates for local government 
properties, whether real or personal, which will be leased to public or private 
entities by the local government; 
6. Maintain and supervise janitorial, security, landscaping and other related 
services in all local government public buildings and other real property, 
whether owned or leased by the local government unit; 
7. Collate and disseminate information regarding prices, shipping and other costs 
of supplies and other items commonly used by the local government unit; 
8. Perform archival and record management with respect to records of offices and 
departments of the local government unit; 
9. Perform all other functions pertaining to supply and property management 
heretofore performed by the local government treasurer and enforce policies 
on records creation, maintenance and disposal; 
10. Be in the frontline of general services-related activities, including the possible 
and imminent destruction or damage to records, supplies, properties and 
structure and the orderly and sanitary clearing up of man-made and natural 
disasters or calamities; 
11. Recommend to the Sangguniang Panlungsod and advise the City Mayor on all 
matters relative to general services; and 
12. Perform other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as provided 
for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are 
prescribed by law or ordinance. 
SEC 44. The City Environment and Natural Resources Officer.- 
 
a) The City Environment and Natural Resources Officer must be a citizen of the 
Philippines, a resident of the City of Santa Maria, of good moral character, a holder 
of a college degree preferably in environment, forestry, agriculture or in any other 
related course obtained from a recognized college or university, a first grace civil 
service eligible or its equivalent and must have acquired experience in 
environment and natural resources management, conservation and utilization 
work for at least five (5) years. 
b) The City Environment and Natural Resources shall receive compensation, 
emoluments and allowances as may be determined by law. 
c) The City Environment and Natural Resources Officer shall take charge of the City 
Environment Service Department, and shall: 
1. Formulate measures for the consideration of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and 
provide assistance and support to the City Mayor in carrying out measures to 
ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities 
relative to environment and natural resources services as provided for under 
Section 17 of the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended; 


2. Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the City Mayor, 
implement these with the environment and natural resources programs and 
projects which the City Mayor is empowered to implement and which the 
Sangguniang Panlungsod is empowered to provide; 
3. Establish, maintain, protect and preserve communal forests, watersheds, tree 
parks, mangroves, greenbelts and similar forest projects and commercial 
forests, like industrial tree farms and agro forestry projects; 
4. Provide extension services to beneficiaries of forest development projects and 
technical, financial and infrastructure assistance; 
5. Manage and maintain seed banks and produce seedlings for forest and tree 
parks; 
6. Provide extension services to beneficiaries of forest development projects and 
render assistance for natural resources-related conservation and utilization 
activities consistent with ecological balance; 
7. Coordinate with government agencies and nongovernmental organizations in 
the implementation of measures to prevent and control land, air and water 
pollution with the assistance of the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources (DENR); 
8. Be in the frontline of the delivery of services concerning the environment and 
natural resources, particularly in the renewal and rehabilitation of the 
environment during and in the aftermath of man-made and natural disasters 
or calamities; 
9. Recommend measures to the Sangguniang Panlungsod and advise the City 
Mayor on all matters relative to the protection, conservation, maximum 
utilization, application of appropriate technology and other matters related to 
the environment and natural resources; and 
10. Perform other duties and functions and exercises such other powers as 
provided for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and 
those that are prescribed by law or ordinance. 
SEC 45. The City Architect.- 
 
a) The City Architect must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City of 
Santa Maria, of good moral character, a duly licensed architect and must have 
practiced the profession for at least five (5) years. 
b) The City Architect shall receive compensation, emoluments and allowances as 
may be determined by law. 
c) The City Architect shall take charge of the Office of the Architectural Planning and 
Design, and shall: 
1. Formulate measures for the consideration of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and 
provide technical assistance and support to the City Mayor in carrying out 


measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate 
facilities relative to architectural planning and design; 
2. Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the City Mayor, 
implement these with architectural planning and design programs and projects 
which the City Mayor is empowered to implement and which the Sangguniang 
Panlungsod is empowered to provide; 
3. Prepare and recommend for consideration of the Sanggunian the architectural 
plan and design for the local government unit or a part thereof, including the 
renewal of slums and blighted areas, land reclamation activities, the greening 
of land and appropriate planning of marine and foreshore areas; 
4. Review and recommend for appropriate action of the Sanggunian or the City 
Mayor, as the case may be, the architectural plans and designs submitted by 
governmental and nongovernmental entities or individuals, particularly those 
for undeveloped and poorly designed areas; 
5. Coordinate with government and nongovernmental entities and individuals 
involved in the aesthetics and maximum utilization of the land and water 
within the jurisdiction of the local government unit to implement plans and 
programs that shall preserve environmental integrity and ecological balance; 
6. Be in the frontline of the delivery of services involving architectural planning 
and design, particularly those related to the redesigning of spatial distribution 
of basic facilities and physical structures during and in the aftermath of man-
made and natural disasters or calamities; 
7. Recommend to the Sangguniang Panlungsod and advise the City Mayor on all 
other matters relative to architectural planning and design as it relates to the 
total socioeconomic development of the City; and 
8. Perform other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as provided 
for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are 
prescribed by law or ordinance. 
SEC 46. The City Information Officer.- 
 
a) The City Information Officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the 
City of Santa Maria, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree 
preferably in journalism, mass communication or in any related course obtained 
from a recognized college or university, a first grade civil service eligible or its 
equivalent and must have experience in writing articles and research papers, or 
writing for print, television or broadcast media for at least three (3) years. 
b) The City Information Officer shall receive compensation, emoluments and 
allowances as may be determined by law. 
c) The term of the City Information Officer is coterminous with that of his or her 
appointing authority. 


d) The City Information Officer shall take charge of the City Information and 
Community Relations Department, and shall: 
1. Formulate measures for the consideration of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and 
provide technical assistance and support to the City Mayor in providing the 
information and research data required for the delivery of basic services and 
the provision of adequate facilities so that the public becomes aware of said 
services and may fully avail of the same; 
2. Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the City Mayor, 
implement the same, particularly those which have to do with public 
information and research data to support programs and projects which the City 
Mayor is empowered to implement and which the Sangguniang Panlungsod is 
empowered to provide; 
3. Provide relevant, adequate and timely information to the local government 
units and its residents; 
4. Furnish information and data on local government agencies or offices as may 
be required by law or ordinance; and nongovernmental organization to be 
furnished by said agencies and organizations; 
5. Maintain effective liaison with the various sectors of the community on matters 
and issues that affect the livelihood and the quality of life of the City’s 
inhabitants and encourage support for programs of the local and national 
government; 
6. Be in the frontline in providing information during and in the aftermath of 
man-made and natural disasters or calamities, with special attention to the 
victims thereof, to help minimize injuries and casualties during and after the 
emergency, and to accelerate relief and rehabilitation; 
7. Recommend to the Sangguniang Panlungsod and advise the City Mayor on all 
other matters relative to public information and research data as it relates to 
the total socioeconomic development of the City; and 
8. Perform other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as provided 
for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are 
prescribed by law or ordinance. 
SEC 47. The City Cooperatives Officer.- 
 
a) The City Cooperatives Officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the 
City of Santa Maria, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree 
preferably in business administration with special training on cooperatives or in 
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 
cooperatives organization and management for at least five (5) years. 


b) The City Cooperatives Officer shall receive compensation, emoluments and 
allowances as may be determined by law. 
c) The City Cooperatives Officer shall take charge of the Office for the Development 
of Cooperatives, and shall: 
1. Formulate measures for the consideration of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and 
provide technical assistance and support to the City Mayor in carrying out 
measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of facilities 
through the development of cooperstives and in providing access to such 
services and facilities; 
2. Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the City Mayor, 
implement these with the integration of cooperatives principles and methods 
in programs and projects which the City Mayor is empowered to implement 
and which the Sangguniang Panlungsod is empowered to provide; 
3. Assist in the organization of cooperatives; 
4. Provide technical and other forms of assistance to existing cooperatives to 
enhance their viability as an economic enterprise and social organization. 
5. Assist cooperatives in establishing linkages with government agencies and 
nongovernmental organizations involved in the promotion and integration of 
the concept of cooperatives in the livelihood of the people and other 
community activities; 
6. Be in the frontline of cooperatives organization, rehabilitation or viability 
enhancement, particularly during and in the aftermath of man-made and 
natural disasters or calamities, to aid in their survival, and if necessary, 
subsequent rehabilitation; 
7. Recommend to the Sangguniang Panlungsod  and advise the City Mayor on all 
other matters relative to cooperatives development and viability enhancement 
which will improve the livelihood and the quality of life of the inhabitants; and 
8. Perform other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as provided 
for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are 
prescribed by law or ordinance. 
SEC 48. The City Population Officer.- 
 
a) The City Population Officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the 
City of Santa Maria, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree 
preferably with specialized training in population development obtained from a 
recognized college or university, a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent 
and must have acquired experience in the implementation of programs on 
population development or responsible parenthood for at least five (5) years. 
b) The City Population Officer shall receive compensation, emoluments and 
allowances as may be determined by law. 


c) The City Population Officer shall take charge of the Office of Population 
Development, and shall: 
1. Formulate measures for the consideration of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and 
provide technical assistance and support to the City Mayor in carrying out 
measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate 
facilities relative to the integration of the population development principles 
and in providing access to said services and facilities; 
2. Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the City Mayor, 
implement these with the integration of population development principles 
and methods in programs and projects which the City Mayor is empowered to 
implement and which the Sangguniang Panlungsod is empowered to provide; 
3. Assist the City Mayor in the implementation of the constitutional provisions 
relative to population development and the promotion of responsible 
parenthood; 
4. Establish and maintain an updated date bank for program operations, 
development planning and an educational program to ensure the people’s 
participation in, and understanding of, population development; 
5. Implement appropriate training programs responsive to the cultural heritage 
of the inhabitants; and 
6. Perform other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as provided 
for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are 
prescribed by law or ordinance. 
SEC 49. The City Agriculturist.- 
 
a) The City Agriculturist must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City of 
Santa Maria, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably in 
agriculture or in any other related course obtained from a recognized college or 
university, a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent and must have 
practiced the profession in agriculture or acquired experience in a related field for 
at least five (5) years. 
b) The City Agriculturist shall receive compensation, emoluments and allowances as 
may be determined by law. 
c) The City Agriculturist shall take charge of the Office of Agriculture Services, and 
shall: 
1. Formulate measures for the approval of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and 
provide technical assistance and support to the City Mayor in carrying out 
measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate 
facilities relative to agricultural services; 
2. Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the City Mayor, 
implement the same, particularly those which have to do with the agricultural 


programs and projects which the City Mayor is empowered to implement and 
which the Sangguniang Panlungsod is empowered to provide; 
3. In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the City Agriculturist shall: 
(i) Ensure that maximum assistance and access to resources in the production, 
processing and marketing of agricultural, aquacultural and marine 
products are extended to farmers, fishermen and local entrepreneurs; 
(ii) Conduct or cause to be conducted location-specific agricultural researchers 
and assist in making available the appropriate technology arising out of 
and dissemination information on basic research on crops, prevention and 
control of plant diseases and pests, and other agricultural matters which 
will maximize productivity; 
(iii) Assist the City Mayor in the establishment and extension services of 
demonstration farms on aquaculture and marine products; 
(iv) Enforce rules and regulations relating to agriculture and aquaculture; and 
(v) Coordinate 
with 
government 
agencies 
and 
nongovernmental 
organizations in the promotion of agricultural productivity through 
applied technology compatible with environmental integrity. 
4. Be in the frontline of the delivery of basic agricultural services, particularly 
those needed for the survival of the City’s inhabitants during and in the 
aftermath of man-made and natural disasters or calamities; 
5. Recommend to the Sangguniang Panlungsod and advise the City Mayor on all 
other matters related to agriculture and aquaculture which will improve the 
livelihood and the living conditions of the inhabitants; and 
6. Perform other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as provided 
for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and those that are 
prescribed by law or ordinance. 
SEC 50. The City Tourism Officer.- 
 
a) The City Tourism Officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City 
of Santa Maria, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably 
with specialized training in tourism development from a recognized college or 
university, a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent, and must have 
acquired experience in the implementation of programs on tourism development 
for at least five (5) years. 
b) The City Tourism Officer shall receive compensation, emoluments and allowances 
as may be determined by law. 
c) The City Tourism Officer shall take charge of the City Tourism Office and shall 
assist the City Mayor and the local tourism council in developing and 
implementing programs and shall: 


1. Encourage the local government unit to enact local legislation adopting the 
Department of Tourism (DOT) accreditation standards for tourism facilities 
and services; 
2. Ensure a pleasant experience and stay of tourist while at the same time 
protecting the interests, welfare and rights of the City; 
3. Develop tourist products and destinations that will benefit the City and its local 
community; 
4. Pursue the implementation of national tourism master plans, the national 
ecotourism strategy, and the area-specific plans of the national and local 
government units; 
5. Support the local government unit in promoting festivals, fiestas, and other 
tourism-related activities; and 
6. Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as 
provided for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and 
those that are prescribed by law or ordinance. 
 
SEC. 51. The City Human Resource Development Officer.- 
 
a) The City Human Resource Development Officer must be a citizen of the 
Philippines, a resident of the City of Santa Maria, of good moral character, a holder 
of a college degree preferably in psychology or any related course from a 
recognized college or university, a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent, 
and must have acquired experience in personnel administration. 
b) The City Human Resource Development Officer shall receive compensation, 
emoluments and allowances as may be determined by law. 
c) The City Human Resource Development Officer shall take charge of the Human 
Resources Development Office and shall: 
1. Develop a human resource management program for approval by the City 
Mayor and the Sangguniang Panlungsod; 
2. Assist the City Mayor in implementing the city’s policies and programs relative 
to 
recruitment 
and 
selection, 
appointments, 
training, 
promotion, 
compensation and other personnel actions involving officials and employees 
of the City; 
3. Recommend to the Sangguniang Panlungsod and advise the City Mayor on all 
matters relative to human resource management and development; 
4. Establish and maintain a sound personnel program for the City designed to 
promote career development and uphold the merit principle in the local 
government service; 
5. Conduct a continuing organizational development of the City, with the end in 
view of instituting effective administrative reforms; and  


6. Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as 
provided for under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and 
those that are prescribed by law or ordinance. 
 
ARTICLE VIII 
THE CITY FIRE STATION SERVICE, THE CITY JAIL SERVICE  
THE CITY SCHOOLS DIVISION AND THE CITY PROSECUTION SERVICE 
 
SEC 52. The City Fire Station Service.- 
 
a) There shall be established in the City at least one (1) fire station with adequate 
personnel, firefighting facilities and equipment, subject to the standards, rules and 
regulations that may be promulgated by the Department of Interior and Local 
Government (DILG). The City shall provide necessary land or site of the station. 
b) The City Fire Station shall be headed by a City Fire Marshal whose qualifications 
shall be as those provided for under Republic Act No. 9263, as amended, otherwise 
known as the “Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and 
Penology Professionalization Act of 2004”. 
c) The City Fire Station shall be responsible for providing emergency services, 
including the rescue and evacuation of injured people related to incidents and, in 
general, all fire prevention and suppression measures to secure the safety of life 
and property of the citizenry. 
SEC 53. The City Jail Service.- 
 
a) There shall be established and maintained in the City a secure, clean, adequately 
equipped and sanitary jail for the custody and safekeeping of persons deprived of 
liberty, any fugitive from justice, or person detained awaiting investigation or 
transfer to the National Penitentiary, and/or trial and/or violent mentally ill 
person who endangers oneself or the safety of others, duly certified as such by the 
proper medical health officer, pending the transfer to a mental institution. 
b) The City Jail Service shall be headed by a City Jail Warden whose qualifications 
shall be as those provided for under the Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of 
Jail Management and Penology Professionalization Act of 2004. One shall assist in 
the immediate rehabilitation of individuals or persons deprived of liberty in 
detention. The City Jail Warden shall ensure that great care is exercised at all times 
so that the human rights of persons deprived of liberty are respected and 
protected, and their spiritual and physical well-being are properly and promptly 
attended to. 
SEC. 54. The City Schools Division.- 


 
a) There shall be established and maintained by the Department of Education 
(DepEd), a City Schools Division in the City of Santa Maria, whose area of 
jurisdiction will cover all school districts within the City. 
b) The City Schools Division shall be healed by a City Schools Division 
Superintendent who must possess the necessary qualifications required by the 
Department of Education. 
SEC. 55. The City Prosecution Service.- 
 
a) There shall be established in the City, a city prosecution service to be headed by a 
City Prosecutor and such number of assistant city prosecutors, as may be 
necessary, who shall be organizationally part of the Department of Justice (DOJ), 
and under the supervision and control of the Secretary of Justice and whose 
qualifications, manner of appointment, rank, salary and benefits shall be governed 
by existing laws covering prosecutors in the DOJ. 
b) The City Prosecutor shall handle the criminal prosecution in the municipal trial 
courts in the City as well as in the regional trial courts for criminal cases 
originating in the territory of the City, and shall render to or for the City such 
services as required by law, ordinance or regulation of the DOJ. 
The Secretary of Justice shall always ensure the adequacy and the quality of prosecution 
service in the City and, for this purpose, shall, in the absence, lack or insufficiency in 
number of assistant city prosecutors as provided hereinabove, designate from among the 
assistant provincial prosecutors a sufficient number to perform and discharge the 
functions of the city prosecution service as provided hereinabove. 
 
ARTICLE IX 
THE CITY REGISTRY OF DEEDS OFFICE 
 
SEC. 56. The City Registry of Deeds Office.- There shall be established in the City a 
Registry of Deeds Office, subject to the standards, rules, and regulations as may be 
promulgated by the Department of Justice, which shall discharge its duties under the 
general supervision of the Administrator of the Land Registration Authority and the 
Secretary of the Department of Justice. 
 
 
 
SEC. 57. The City Register of Deeds.- 
 
a) The City Register of Deeds shall be the head of the City Registry of Deeds Office. 
The City Register of Deeds must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the 


City of Santa Maria, of good moral character, a member of the integrated bar, and 
must have practiced the profession for at least five (5) years. 
b) The City Register of Deeds shall receive such compensation, emoluments and 
allowances as may be determined by law. 
c) The City Register of Deeds shall take charge of the Registry of Deeds Office and 
shall perform such duties and functions and exercise such other powers as 
provided by law. 
 
ARTICLE X 
TRANSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS 
 
SEC. 58. Municipal Ordinances Existing at the Time of the Approval of this Act.- All 
municipal ordinances of the Municipality of Santa Maria existing at the time of the 
approval of this Act shall continue to be in force within the City of Santa Maria until the 
Sangguniang Panlungsod shall declare otherwise. 
 
SEC. 59. Plebiscite.- The City of Santa Maria shall acquire corporate existence upon 
the ratification of its creation by a majority of the votes cast by the qualified voters in a 
plebiscite to be conducted in the present Municipality of Santa Maria within ninety (90) 
days from the approval of this Act.  
The Commission on Elections shall conduct and supervise such plebiscite. 
The expenses for the plebiscite shall be borne by the Municipality of Santa Maria 
 
SEC. 60. Officials of the City of Santa Maria. – The present elective officials of the 
Municipality of Santa Maria shall continue to exercise their powers and functions until 
such time that a new election is held and the duly elected officials shall have already 
qualified and assumed their offices. The two (2) additional members of the Sangguniang 
Panlungsod shall be appointed by the City Mayor and shall assume office until such time 
that the regular members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod have been elected and qualified 
in the next national and local elections after the effectivity of this Act. Appointive officials 
and employees of the municipality shall likewise continue exercising their functions and 
duties and they shall be automatically absorbed by the city government of the City of 
Santa Maria. 
 
SEC 61. Succession Clause. – The City of Santa Maria shall succeed to all assets, 
properties, liabilities and obligations of the Municipality of Santa Maria. 
 
SEC 62. Election of Provincial Governor and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members of the 
Province of Bulacan.- The qualified voters of the City of Santa Maria shall be qualified to 
vote and run for any elective position in the elections for provincial governor, provincial 
vice governor, Sangguniang Panlalawigan members and other elective officials for the 
Province of Bulacan. 


 
SEC 63. Jurisdiction of the Province of Bulacan.- The City of Santa Maria, shall, unless 
otherwise provided by law, continue to be under the jurisdiction of the Province of 
Bulacan. 
 
SEC 64. Suspension of Increase in Rates of Local Taxes.- No increase in the rates of 
local taxes shall be imposed by the City within the period of five (5) years from its 
acquisition of corporate existence. 
 
SEC 65. Legislative District.- The City of Santa Maria shall continue to be under the 
6th Legislative District of the Province of Bulacan after the effectivity of this Act. 
 
SEC 66. Applicability of Laws.- The provisions of the Local Government Code of 
1991, as amended, and other laws pertaining to the Province of Bulacan and such laws as 
are applicable shall govern the City of Santa Maria insofar as they are not inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act. 
 
SEC 67. Separability Clause.- If, for any reason or reasons, any part or provisions of 
this Charter shall be held unconstitutional, invalid or inconsistent with the Local 
Government Code of 1991, as amended, the other parts or provisions hereof which are 
not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SEC 68. Repealing Clause.- All laws, decrees, rules, and regulations or parts thereof 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC 69. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,