Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 2984

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVES HENRY PRYDE TEVES,
GEORGE P. ARNAIZ AND MANUEL M. [WAY

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Municipality of Valencia in the Province of Negros Oriental is a first class
municipality whose population has steadily grown over the years mainly due to sustained
economic activity, As of 2010 Census of Population conducted by the National Statistics
Office, the Municipality of Valencia has 31,477 inhabitants. Its proximity to Dumaguete
City has made Valencia an ideal dwelling place for some professionals and skilled
workers employed in government agencies and corporate offices in Dumaguete City. Its
strategic location and P600,00 electric subsidy per meter to individual consumer have
also attracted thousands of individuals and families working in commercial firms in
Dumaguete City and neighboring municipalities

This phenomenon has dramatically changed the life and culture in Valencia, Life
in this municipality is almost 24/7, as people move in and out of Valencia from dusk to
dusk. Public transportation services — jeepneys, tricycles, habal-habals, etc. -- from
Valencia to various destination points in Dumaguete City and neighboring municipalities
are available at all times.

However, having all the amenities of modern living has put tremendous pressure
upon the Municipal Government to deliver basic services, not only to make every family
living in Valencia enjoy a good quality of life, but also to transients and visitors to have a
safe and pleasant stay in this burgeoning municipality. It has become imperative for the
Municipality of Valencia to generate as much resources it urgently needs to be able to
fund every activity, project or program that will redound to the benefit of its own
population

The conversion therefore of the Municipality of Valencia into a component city of
the Province of Negros Oriental, and the accruing benefits from such conversion, will
certainly enable the local government to effectively and adequately respond to the
requirements of Valencia residents, With more resources as a city, the government's
capability to sustain its momentum for growth and progress will be enhanced


It is worthy to emphasize that the Municipality of Valencia in the Province of
‘Negros Oriental has more than meets the requirements prescribed by law to be converted
into a component city.

Under Republic Act No. 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of
1991, a municipality may be converted into a city if its has a locally generated average
annual income as certified by the Department of Finance of P100 Million for two
consecutive years and if it has either a population of 150,000 or a land area of at least 100
square kilometers.

The Municipality of Valencia has a locally generated income in the year 2012 of
P280, 678,073.44 way above the P100,000,000,00 million average annual income
prescribed by the Local Government Code of 1991. Although it has a smaller number of
inhabitants, it has a land area 148.30 kilometers, which is way above the requirement of
100 square kilometers to supplement its shortage in population requirement,

In view of the foregoing reasons, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

PRYDE HENRY A. TEVES
Representative
3" Distrigt, Negros Oriental

JRGE P. ARNAIZ MANUEL M. IWAY

Representative Representative
ND 5 Cer P
2°? District, Negros Oriental Ist District, Negros Oriental



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No,_ 2984

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVES HENRY PRYDE TEVES,
GEORGE P. ARNAIZ AND MANUEL M. IWAY

AN ACT
CONVERTING THE MUNICIPALITY OF VALENCIA IN THE PROVINCE OF
NEGROS ORIENTAL INTO A COMPONENT CITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE
CITY OF VALENCIA

- Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives
of the Philippines in Congr embled:

ARTICLE L
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1 Title, ~ This Act shall be known as the “Charter of the City of
Valencia”.

SEC. 2. The City of Valencia. ~ The Municipality of Valencia shall be converted
into a component city to be known as the City of Valencia, hereinafter referred to as the
City, which shall comprise the present territory of the Municipality of Valencia, Province
of Negros Oriental

The territorial jurisdiction of the City shall be within the present metes and bounds
of the Municipality of Valencia.

The foregoing provision shall be without prejudice to the resolution by the
appropriate agency or forum of any boundary dispute or case involving questions of
territorial jurisdiction between the City of Valencia 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
possessed of the powers which pertain to a municipal corporation to be exercised in
conformity with the provision 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

(8 To exercise such other powers, prerogatives or authority subject to the
limitations provided in this Act or laws.

SEC. 4. General Powers. - The City shall have a common seal and may alter the
same at pleasure: Provided, That any change of corporate seal shall be registered with the
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). It shall exercise the powers to
levy taxes, fees and charges; 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 to 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
fromliability for death or injury to persons or damage to property.

SEC. 6. Jurisdiction of the City. — The jurisdiction of the City, for police purposes
only, shall be coextensive with its territorial jurisdiction and, for the purpose of
protecting and ensuring 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 Valencia 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
cases to the exclusion of others. The police forces of several municipalities and cities
concerned shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the police forces 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 IL
CITY OFFICIALS IN GENERAL

SEC. 7. The Officials of the City of Valencia. - (a) There shall be in the City of
Valencia: a city mayor, a city vice mayor, sangguniang panlungsod members, a secretary
to the sangguniang panlungsod, a city treasurer, a city assessor, a city accountant, a city
budget officer, a city planning and development officer, 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

(©) 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, a city schools division to be
headed by a city schools division superintendent

(d) The Sangguniang Panlungsod may:

(1) Maintain existing offices not mentioned in subsections (a) and (b);

(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 sangguniang,
panlungsod members, subject to civil service law, rules and regulations. The sangguniang
panlungsod shall act on the appointment within fifteen (15) days from the day of its
submission, otherwise the same shall be deemed confirmed.

( Elective and appointive city officials shall receive such compensation,
allowances and other emoluments as may be determined by or ordinance, subject to the
budgetary limitations on personal services prescribed under Title Five, Book Il of the
Local Government Code of 1991: Provided, That, no increase in compensation of the
mayor, vice-mayor and sangguniang panlungsod member shall take effect until after the
expiration of the full term of the said local officials approving such increase.

ARTICLE Ill
THE CITY MAYOR AND CITY VICE MAYOR

SEC. 8. The City Mayor. ~ (a) The city mayor shall be the chief executive of the
City and shall be elected at large by the qualified voters of the City. No person shall be
cligible for the position of city mayor unless, at the time of the election, one is a citizen of
the Philippines, at least twenty-one (21) years of age, a resident of the City for at least
one (1) year prior to his election and a qualified voter therein and able to read and write
Filipino or any other local language or dialect. The city mayor shall hold office for three
(3) years, unless sooner removed, but shall serve for not more than three (3) consecutive
terms in the same position 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.

The city mayor, as the chief executive of the city government, shall exercise such
powers and perform such duties and functions as provided herein

(b) For efficient, effective and economical governance, the purpose of which is the
general welfare of the City and its inhabitants, the city mayor shall:

(1) 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:


(i) Determine the guidelines of city policies and be responsible to the sangguniang
panlungsod for the program of government;

(ii) Direct the formulation of the city development’ plan, with the assistance of the
city development council and, upon approval thereof by the sangguniang panlungsod,
implement the same;

(iii) Present the program of government and propose policies and projects for the
consideration of the sangguniang panlungsod at the opening of the regular session of the
sangguniang panlungsod 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,

(iv) Initiate and propose legislative measures to the sangguniang panlungsod 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;

(v) 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,

(vi) Represent the City in all its business transactions and sign on its behalf all
bonds, contracts and obligations, and such other documents upon the authority of the
sangguniang panlungsod or pursuant to law or ordinance;

(vii)Carry out such emergency measures as may be necessary during and in the
aftermath of man-made and natural disasters and calamities;

(viii) 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,

(ix) 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 office and other buildings
‘owned or leased by the city government;

(x) Ensure that all executive officials and employees of the City faithfully discharge
their duties and functions as provided for by law and the Local Government Code of
1991, 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;

(xi) Examine the books, records and other documents of all offices, officials, agents
or employees of the City and, in aid of 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;

(xii) Furnish copies of executive orders issued by him to the Provincial Governor
within seventy-two (72) hours after their issuance;

(xiii) Visit component barangays of the City at least once every six (6) months to
deepen his understanding of the problems and conditions, listen and give appropriate
counsel to local officials and inhabitants, inform the component barangay 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;

(xiv) Act on leave applications of officials and employees appointed and on the
commutation of the monetary value of their leave credits in accordance with law;

(xv) 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;

(xvi) Call upon any national official or employee stationed in or assigned to the
City for advise on matters affecting the City and to make recommendations thereon;



coordinate with the said officials and employees in the formulation and the
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 official duties while stationed in or
assigned to the City;

(xvii) 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;

(xviii) Solemnize marriages, any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding:

(xix) 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

(xx) Submit to the provincial governor the following reports: 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 supplemental reports when unexpected events and situations
arise at any time during the year, particularly when man-made and natural disasters or
calamities affect the general welfare of the City;

(2) 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 polici
programs, projects, services and activities of the City; and, in addition, shall.

(i) 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;

(ii) Call conventions, conferences, seminars or meetings of elective and 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 may be deemed important for the
promotion of the general welfare of the local government unit and its inhabitants;

(iii) Issue such executive orders for the faithful and appropriate enforcement and
execution of laws and ordinances;

(iv) Be entitled to carry the necessary firearms within the territorial jurisdiction;

(v) 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 general and operational control and supervision over police
forces in the City in accordance with Republic Act No. 6975, otherwise known as the
“Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990”; and

(vi) Call upon the law enforcement agencies to suppress disorder, riot, lawless
violence, rebellion, 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;

(3) 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 and, relative thereto, shall

(i) 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;



(ii) 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,

(iii) Ensure that all taxes and other revenues of the City are collected, and that city
funds are applied to the payment of expenses and the settlement of obligations of the
City, in accordance with law or ordinance;

(iv) 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;

(v)_ Issue permits, without need of approval therefore 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;

(vi) Require owners of illegally constructed houses, buildings or other structures to
obtain the necessary permits, 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:

(vii) Adopt adequate measures to safeguard and conserve land, mineral, marine,
forest and other resources of the City;

(viii) Provide efficient and effective property and supply management in the City
and protect the funds, credits, rights and other properties of the City; and

(ix) Institute or cause to be instituted administrative or judicial proceedings for
violation of ordinances in the collection of taxes, fees, 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 shalll be adequately protected;

(4) Ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities
and, in addition thereto, shall

(i) 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

(ii) Coordinate the implementation of technical services, including public works and
infrastructure programs, rendered by national offices;

(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.

(c) 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 the election,
possess the same qualifications as the city mayor. The city vice mayor shall hold office
for three (3) years, ules 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 panlungsod and sign all warrants
drawn on the city treasury for all expenditures appropriated for the operation of the
sangguniang panlungsod;


(2) Subject to civil service law, rules and regulations, appoint all officials and
employees of the sangguniang panlungsod, 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
case 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 PANLUNGSOD

SEC. 10. Composition. ~ (a) The sangguniang panlungsod, the legislative body of
the City, shall be composed of the city vice mayor as the presiding officer, the regular
sanggunian 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 three
(3) sectoral representatives, as members, who shall come from the following sectors: One
(J) from the women sector; and, as shall be determined by the sangguniang panlungsod
within ninety (90) days prior to the holding of the local elections, one (1) from the
agricultural or industrial workers sector; and one (1) from the other sectors, including
urban poor, indigenous cultural communities or disabled persons

(b) The regular members of the sangguniang panlungsod and sectoral representatives
shall be elected in the manner as may be provided by law.

(c) The members of the sangguniang panlungsod of the City of Valencia shall receive
a minimum monthly compensation corresponding to Salary Grade Twenty-five (25) as
prescribed under the Salary Standardization Law and the implementing guidelines issued
pursuant thereto,

SEC. 11. Powers, Duties, Functions and Compensation. = (a) The sangguniang
panlungsod, 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 of 1991 and in the proper exercise
of the corporate powers of the City as provided for under Section 22 of the Local
Government Code of 1991, and shall

(1) Approve ordinances and pass resolutions necessary for an efficient and effective
city government and, in this connection, shall

(i) Review all ordinances approved by the sangguniang barangay and executive
orders issued by the punong barangay to determine whether these are within the scope of
the prescribed powers of the sangguniang barangay and of the punong barangay;

(i) 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;

(iii) 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 violation of a city ordinance;


(iv) 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 to victims during and in the aftermath of said disasters or calamities and in
their return to productive livelihood following said events;

(v) Enact ordinances intended to prevent, suppress and impose appropriate penalties
for habitual drunkenness in public places, vagrancy, mendicancy, prostitution, the
establishment and maintenance of house 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 or exhibition of obscene or pornographic materials or publications and such
other activities inimical to the welfare and morals of the inhabitants of the City;

(vi)Protect the environment and, to this end, it may set aside at least ten percent
(10%) of its development funds for the purpose of maintaining and enhancing the
ecological balance of the City. It may also impose appropriate penalties for acts which
endanger the environment, such as illegal logging, 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 siltation of
rivers and lakes or of ecological imbalance,

(vii) Subject to the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991 and other
pertinent laws, determine the powers and duties of officials and employees of the City;

(viii) 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 expenditures necessary for the proper conduct of programs,
projects, services and activities of the city government;

(ix)Authorize the payment of compensation to a qualified person not in the
government service who fills in a temporary vacancy or grant honoraria to any qualified
official or employee designated to fill in a temporary vacancy in a concurrent capacity at
the rate authorized by law:

(x) Provide a mechanism and the appropriate funds therefore for the safety and
protection of all city government properties, 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;

(xi)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 employees stationed in or assigned to the City;

(xii) 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 actions; and

(xiii) Provide for group insurance or additional insurance coverage for all barangay
officials, including members of barangay tanod brigades and service units, with public or
private insurance companies, when the finances of the city government allow said
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 citywide growth and progress and, relative thereto, shall

(i) 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;

(ii) Subject to the provisions of Book II of the Local Government Code of 1991 and
applicable laws and, upon the majority vote of all the members of the sangguniang
panlungsod, enact ordinances levying taxes, fees and charges, prescribing the rates
thereof for general and specific purposes and granting tax exemptions, incentives or
relief’;

(iii) Subject to the provisions of Book II of the Local Government Code of 1991
and upon the majority vote of all the members of the sangguniang panlungsod, authorize
the city mayor to negotiate and contract loans and other forms of indebtedness:

(iv)Subject to the provisions of Book II of the Local Government Code of 1991 and
applicable laws and, upon the majority vote of all the members of the sangguniang
panlungsod, enact ordinances authorizing the floating of bonds or other instruments of
indebtedness, for the purpose of raising funds to finance development projects;

(v) 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 the members of the
sangguniang panlungsod, authorize the city mayor to lease to private parties such public
buildings held in a proprietary capacity, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations;

(vi)Presoribe reasonable limits and restraints on the use of property within the
jurisdiction of the City;

(vii) Adopt a comprehensive land-use plan for the City and ensure that the
formulation, adoption or modification of said plan shall be in coordination with the
approved provincial comprehensive land-use plan;

(viii) Reclassify lands within the jurisdiction of the City, subject to the pertinent
provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991;

(ix)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 limits or zones in accordance with the provisions
of the Fire Code of the Philippines;

(x) Subject to national law, process and approve subdivision plans for residential,
commercial ot 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, said
approval 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,

(xi) Subject to the provisions of Book Il of the Local Government Code of 1991,
grant the exclusive privilege of constructing fish corrals or fish pens, or taking or
catching of bangus fry, prawn or kawag-kawag, or fy of any species or fish within the
city waters,

(xii) With the concurrence of at least two-thirds (2/3) vote of all the members of the
sangguniang panlungsod, grant tax exemptions, incentives or relief’ to entities engaged in
community growth-inducing industries, subject to the provisions of the Local
Government Code of 1991;

(xiii) 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;

(xiv) Regulate the numbering of residential, commercial and other buildings; and



(xv) Regulate the inspection, weighing and measuring of articles of commerce

(3) Subject to the provisions of Book Il of the Local Government Code of 1991,
enact ordinances granting franchises and authorizing the issuance of permits of 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

(i) Fix and impose reasonable fees and charges for all services rendered by the city
government to private persons or entities;

(ii) 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;

(iii)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;

(iv) Regulate the display of and fix the license fees for signs, signboards or
billboards at the place or places where the profession or business advertised thereby is, in
whole or in part, conducted;

(v) Any law to the contrary notwithstanding, authorize and license the
establishment, operation and maintenance of cockpits, and regulate cockfighting and
commercial breeding of gamecocks: Provided, That existing rights should not be
prejudiced;

(vi) Subject to the guidelines prescribed by the Department of Transportation and
Communications (DOTC), regulate the operation of tricycles and grant franchises for the
thereof within the territorial jurisdiction of the City; and

Upon approval by a majority vote of all the members of the sangguniang
panlungsod, grant a franchise to any person, partnership, corporation or cooperative to do
business within the City; establish, construct, operate and maintain ferries, wharves,
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 the said purpose, shall

(i) Declare, prevent or abate any nuisance:

(ii) Require that buildings and the premises thereof and any land within the City be
kept and maintained in a sanitary condition; impose penalties for any violation thereof, or
upon failure to comply with the said requirement, have the work done at the expense of
the owner, administrator or tenant concerned; and require the filling up of any land or
premises to a grade necessary for proper sanitation;

(iii)Regulate the disposal of clinical and other wastes from hospitals, clinics and
other similar establishments;

(iv)Regulate the establishment, operation and maintenance of restaurants,
beerhouses, hotels, motels, inns, pension houses, lodging houses and other similar
establishments, including tourist guides and transports;

(v) Regulate the sale, giving away or dispensing of any intoxicating malt, vino,
mixed or fermented liquors at any retail outlets;

(vi)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;

(vii) Regulate the establishment, operation and maintenance of any entertainment or
amusement facilities, including the theatrical performances, circuses, billiard halls, public



dancing schools, public dance halls, sauna baths, massage parlors and other places for
entertainment or amusement; regulate such other events or activities for amusement or
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;

(viii) Provide for the impounding of stray animals; regulate the keeping of animals
in homes or as part of a business, and the slaughter, sale or disposition of the same; and
adopt measures to prevent and penalize cruelty to animals; and

(ix)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
basic services and facilities as provided for under the Local Government Code of 1991
and, in addition to said services and facilities, shall

(i) Provide for the establishment, maintenance, protection and conservation of tree
parks and greenbelts, mangroves, and other similar forest development projects:

(ii) 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:

(iii) Authorize the establishment, maintenance and operation by the city
government of ferries, wharves, and/or other structures intended to accelerate
productivity related to marine life in the preservation thereof:

(iv)Regulate the preparation and sale of meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, fruits, fresh
dairy products and other foodstuffs for public consumption:

(v) 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 operation of
conveyances for hire; designate stands to be occupied by public vehicles when not in use:
regulate the putting up of signs, signposts, awnings and awning posts on the streets; and
provide for the lighting, cleaning and sprinkling of streets and public places;

(vi)Regulate traffic on 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;

(vii) 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 the 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 within one
hundred meters (100 m.) of the reservoir, canal, conduit, 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,

(viii) 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, cesspools, 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;

(ix) 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 to the welfare of the inhabitants;

(x) 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 and, with the approval of the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA), and subject to existing laws on tuition fees, fix and
collect reasonable tuition fees and other school charges in educational institutions
supported by the city government;

(xi) Establish a scholarship fund for the poor but deserving students in schools
located within its jurisdiction or for students residing within the City;

(xii) Approve measures and adopt quarantine regulations to prevent the introduction
and the spread of diseases;

(xiii) Provide for an efficient and effective system of solid waste and garbage
collection and disposal and prohibit littering and the placing or throwing of garbage,
refuse and other filth and wastes;

(xiv) Provide for the care of persons with disabilities (PWD), paupers, the aged, the
sick, persons of unsound mind, abandoned minors, juvenile delinquents, drug dependents,
abused children and the youth below eighteen (18) years of age, and subject to the
availability of funds, establish and provide for the operation of centers and facilities for
the said needy and disadvantaged persons,

(xv) Establish and provide for the maintenance and improvement of jails end
detention centers, institute a sound jail management program and appropriate funds for
the subsistence of detainees and convicted prisoners in the City;

(xvi) Establish a city council whose purpose is the promotion of culture and the arts,
coordinate with government agencies and nongovernmental organizations and, subject to
the availability of funds, appropriate funds for the support and development of the same;
and

(xvii)Establish a city council for the elderly and senior citizens which shall
formulate policies and adopt measures mutually beneficial to the elderly and to the
community; provide incentives for nongovernmental agencies and entities and, subject to
the availability of funds, appropriate funds to support programs and projects for the
benefit of the elderly; and

(6) Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such powers as provided
for under the Local Government Code of 1991, and those that are prescribed by law or
ordinance.

ARTICLE V
PROCESS OF LEGISLATION

SEC. 12, Internal Rules of Procedure. ~ (a) On the first regular session following
the election of its members and within ninety (90) days thereafter, the sangguniang
panlungsod 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, revenues, engineering and public works, education and
health, women and family, human rights, youth and sports development, environmental
protection, peace and order and traffic, and cooperatives; the general jurisdiction of each
committee; and the election of the chairman and members of each 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 for 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 the sanggunian members: Provided,
further, That the 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. 13. Full Disclosure of Financial and Business Interests of Sangguniang
Panlungsod Members. — (a) Every sangguniang panlungsod member shall, upon
assumption to office, make a full disclosure of business and financial interests. They shall
also disclose any business, financial, professional relationship or any relation by affinity
or consanguinity within the fourth civil degree, which they may have with any person,
firm or entity affected by any ordinance or resolution under consideration by the
sanggunian of which one is a member, which relationship may result in conflict of
interests. Such relationship shall include:

(1) Ownership of stock or 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 a 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 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 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 be 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. 14, Sessions. — (a) On the first day of the session immediately following the
election of its members, the sangguniang panlungsod shall, by resolution, fix the day,
time and place of its sessions. The minimum number of regular sessions shall be once a
week for the sangguniang panlungsod and twice a month for the sangguniang barangay.

(b) When the public interest so demands, special sessions may be called by the city
mayor or by a majority of the members of the sanggunian

(©) All sanggunian sessions shall be open to the public unless a closed-door
session is ordered by an affirmative vote of the majority of the members present, 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 members’ usual place of residence at least
twenty-four (24) hours before the special session is held

Unless otherwise 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 sangguniang panlungsod shall keep a journal and a record of its
proceedings, which may be published upon resolution of the majority of its members.

SEC. 15, 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 of the members and thereafter announce the result.

(b) Where there is no quorum, the presiding officer may declare a recess until such
time 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 in the territorial jurisdiction of the City of
Valencia, 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 lack
‘of quorum

SEC. 16. Approval of Ordinances. (a) Every ordinance enacted by the
sangguniang panlungsod shall be presented to the city mayor. If the city mayor approves
the same, the signature shall be affixed on each and every page thereof, otherwise, the
ordinance shall be vetoed with the statement on the 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. 17. Veto Power of the City Mayor. — (a) The city mayor may veto any
ordinance of the sangguniang panlungsod on the ground that it is wlira vires or prejudicial
to the public welfare, stating the reasons thereof 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 vetoed item or items shall not affect the item or items
which are not objected to. The vetoed item or items shall not take effect unless the
sangguniang panlungsod 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 enacted.

(c) The city mayor may veto an ordinance or resolution only once, The sanggunian
may override the veto of the city mayor by two-thirds (2/3) vote of all its members,
thereby making the ordinance effective even without the approval of the city mayor.

SEC. 18. Review of City Ordinances by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. - (a)
Within three (3) days after approval, the secretary to the sangguniang panlungsod shall
forward to the sangguniang panlalawigan for review, copies of approved ordinances and
the resolutions approving the local development plans and the public investment
programs formulated by the local development councils

(b) Within thirty (30) days after receipt of copies of such ordinances and
resolutions, the sangguniang panlalawigan shall examine the documents or transmit them
to the provincial attorney or the provincial prosecutor for prompt examination. The
provincial attorney or the provincial prosecutor shall, within a period of ten (10) days
from receipt of the documents, inform the sangguniang panlalawigan in writing of his
comments or recommendations, which may be considered by the sangguniang
panlalawigan in making its decision

(©) If the sangguniang panlalawigan finds that such an ordinance or resolution is
beyond the power conferred upon the sangguniang panlungsod concerned, it shall declare
such ordinance or resolution invalid in whole or in part. The sangguniang panlalawigan
shall enter its action in the minutes and shall advise the corresponding city authorities of
the action it has taken.

(d) If no action has been taken by the sangguniang panlalawigan within thirty (30)
days after submission of such an ordinance or resolution, the same shall be presumed to
be consistent with law and therefore valid.

SEC. 19. Review of Barangay Ordinances by the Sangguniang Panlungsod. ~ (a)
Within ten (10) days after its enactment, the sangguniang barangay shall furnish copies of
all barangay ordinances to the sangguniang panlungsod for review as to whether the
ordinances are consistent with law or city ordinances,

(b) If the sangguniang panlungsod fails to take action on barangay ordinances
within thirty (30) days from receipt thereof, the same shall be deemed approved

(c) If the sangguniang panlungsod finds the barangay ordinances inconsistent with
law or city ordinances, the sangguniang panlungsod shall, within thirty (30) days from
receipt thereof, return the same with its comments and recommendations to the
sangguniang 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. 20. Enforcement of Disapproved Ordinances or Resolutions. ~ Any attempt
to enforce any ordinance or any resolution approving the local development plan and the
public investment program after disapproval thereof, shall be sufficient ground for the
suspension or dismissal of the official or employee concemed.

SEC. 21. Effectivity of Ordinances or Resolutions, ~ (a) Unless otherwise stated in
the ordinance or the resolution approving the local development plan and the 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 Valencia and in at
least two (2) other conspicuous places in the City of Valencia not later than five (5) days
after approval thereof.

(b) The secretary of the sangguniang panlungsod shall cause the posting of an
ordinance or resolution in the bulletin board at the entrance of the city hall and in at least
two (2) conspicuous places in the City of Valencia 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 the secretary of the sangguniang panlungsod 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 the 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 the
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. 22. Disqualification of 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
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 nonpolitical 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 of 1991; and

(g) The insane or feeble-minded

SEC. 23. Permanent Vacancy in the Offices of the City Mayor and the City Vice
Mayor. ~ (a) If a permanent vacancy occurs in the office of the city mayor, the city vice
mayor concerned shall become the city mayor. If a permanent vacancy occurs in the
office of the city vice mayor, the highest ranking sangguniang panlungsod member or, in
case of his permanent incapacity, the second highest ranking sangguniang panlungsod


member becomes the city mayor or the city vice mayor, as the case may be. Subsequent
vacancies in the said offices shall be filled automatically by the other sanggunian
members according to their ranking as defined herein

(b) Ifa permanent vacancy occurs in the office of the punong barangay, the highest-
ranking sangguniang barangay member or, in case of his permanent inability, the second
highest-ranking sangguniang member, shall become the punong barangay.

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

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

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

(© For purposes of succession as provided for 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. 24. Permanent Vacancies in the Sangguniang Panlungsod. ~ Permanent
vacancies in the sangguniang panlungsod where automatic succession as provided above
does not apply shall be filled in by appointments in the following manner

(a) The provincial governor shall make the aforesaid appointments;

(b) 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 a ground for administrative action against the official
responsible therefor;

(0) Incase the permanent vacancy is caused by a sanggunian member who does not
belong to any political party, the city mayor shall, upon the recommendation of the
sangguniang panlungsod, appoint a qualified person to fill in the vacancy; and

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

SEC. 25. Temporary Vacaney in the Office of the City Mayor. — (a) When the city
mayor is temporarily incapacitated to perform his duties for physical or legal reasons
such as, but not limited to, leave of absence, travel abroad and suspension from office,
the city vice mayor or the highest sangguniang panlungsod 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
panlungsod ofa written declaration by the city mayor that he has reported back to office


In case where the temporary incapacity is due to legal cause, the city mayor shall also
submit necessary documents showing that the said legal cause no longer exists

(c) When the city mayor is traveling within the country but outside the 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 panlungsod
member, as the case may be, shall have the right to assume the powers, duties and
functions of the said office on the fourth (4"") day of absence of the city mayor, subject to
the limitations provided for 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 panlungsod, as the case may be

ARTICLE VII
THE APPOINTIVE OFFICIALS OF THE CITY

SEC. 26. The Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod. ~ (a) There shall be a
secretary to the sangguniang panlungsod who shall be a career official with the rank and
salary equal to a head of a department or office.

(b) No person shall be appointed secretary to the sangguniang panlungsod unless
one is a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City of Valencia, 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 secretary to the sangguniang panlungsod shall take charge of the office of
the sangguniang panlungsod, and shall:

(1) Attend meetings of the sangguniang panlungsod 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 panlungsod, 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 panlungsod, duly certified by the presiding officer;

(4) Forward to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) copies of the
appropriations ordinances passed by the sangguniang panlungsod as provided for under
Section 326, Book II of the Local Government Code of 1991;

(5) Forward to the sangguniang panlalawigan copies of duly approved ordinances
in the manner as provided for in Sections 56 and 57 of the Local Government Code of
1991;

(6) Furnish, upon the request of any interested 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;

(7) Record in a book kept for the purpose, all ordinances and resolutions enacted or
adopted by the sangguniang panlungsod, with the dates of passage and publication
thereof,


(8) Keep his office and all nonconfidential records therein open to the public during
usual business hours;

(9) Translate into the dialect used by the majority of the 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 under the Local Government
Code of 1991;

(10) Take custody of the local archives and, where applicable, the local library and
annually account for the same; and

(11)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

SEC, 27. The City Treasurer. (a) The city treasurer shall be appointed by the
Secretary of the Department of Finance (DOF) from a list of at least three (3) ranking
eligible recommendees of the city mayor, subject to civil service law, rules and
regulations

(b) The city treasurer shall be under the administrative supervision of the city
mayor, to whom one 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 Valencia, 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. One must
have acquired experience in treasury or accounting service for at least five (5) years.

(a) 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 city finance department, and shall.

(1) Advise the city mayor, the sangguniang panlungsod and other local government
and national officials concerned regarding disposition of local government funds and on
such other matters relative to public finance;

(2) Take custody and exercise proper management of the funds of the City;

(3) Take charge of the disbursement of all funds of the City and such other funds,
the custody of which has been entrusted 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 of 1991;

(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 the Local Government Code of 1991, and those that are prescribed by
law or ordinance,

SEC. 28. The City Assessor. — (a) The city assessor must be a citizen of the
Philippines, a resident of the City of Valencia, of good moral character, 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, One must have an experience in real property assessment work
or in any related field for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the date 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 department, 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 evaluation and assessment of real
properties for taxation purposes;

(3) Establish a systematic method of real property assessment;

(4) Install and maintain real property identification and accounting systems;

(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 of 1991;

(9) Issue, upon request of any interested party, certified copies of assessment
records of real properties and all other records relative to its assessment, upon payment of
a service charge or fee to the city treasurer;

(10) Submit every semester a report of all assessments, as well as cancellations and
modifications of assessments to the city mayor and the sangguniang panlungsod; and

(11) Attend personally or through an authorized representative all sessions of the
Local Board of Assessments; 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 City Accountant. — (a) The city accountant must be a citizen of the
Philippines, a resident of the City of Valencia, 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 immediately preceding the date of his appointment.

(b) The city accountant shall receive such 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 and liquidations of the same 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 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.

SEC. 30, The City Budget Officer. ~ (a) The city budget officer must be a citizen of
the Philippines, a resident of the City of Valencia, of good moral character, holder of a
college degree preferably in accounting, economics, public administration or any related
course from a recognized college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or
its equivalent, The city budget officer must have acquired experience in government
budgeting or in any related field for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the date
of his appointment

(b) 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 legislation 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 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.

SEC. 31, 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
Valencia, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably in urban
planning, development studies, economics, public administration or in any related course
from a recognized college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its
equivalent. One must have acquired experience in development planning or in any
related field for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the date of his appointment.

(b) The city planning and development officer shall receive such compensation,
emoluments and allowances as may be determined by law.


(c) The city planning 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, researches 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 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

SEC. 32. The City Engineer, — (a) The city engineer must be a citizen of the
Philippines, a resident of the City of Valencia, of good moral character and a licensed
civil engineer. One must have acquired experience in the practice of his profession for at
least five (5) years immediately preceding the date of his appointment.

(b) The city engineer shall receive such 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 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.

SEC. 33. The City Health Officer. - (a) The city health officer must be a citizen of
the Philippines, a resident of the City of Valencia, of good moral character and a licensed
medical practitioner. One must have acquired experience in the practice of his profession
for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the date of his appointment.


(b) The city health officer shall receive such compensation, emoluments and
allowances as may be determined by law.

(c) The city health officer shall take charge 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 him in the efficient, effective and
economical implementation of health service program 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;

(3) Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the city mayor,
implement the same, particularly those which have to do with 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;

(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) Advise 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;

(iv) Recommend to the sangguniang panlungsod through the local health board, the
passage of such ordinance as he may deem necessary for the preservation of public
health;

(v) Recommend the prosecution of any violation of sanitary laws, ordinances or
regulations;

(vi) Direct the sanitary inspection of all business establishments, stores selling food
items or providing accommodations such as hotels, motels, local houses, pension houses
and the like, in accordance with the Sanitation Code of the Philippines.

(vii) Conduct health information campaigns and render health intelligence services;

(viii) Coordinate with other government agencies and non-government
organizations involved in the promotion and delivery of health services; and

(ix) Be in the frontline of the delivery of health services, particularly during and in
the aftermath of man-made and natural disasters or calamities;

(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.

SEC. 34, The City Civil Registrar. ~ (a) The city civil registrar must be a citizen of
the Philippines, a resident of the City of Valencia, of good moral character, a holder of a
college degree from a recognized college or university, and a first grade civil service
eligible or its equivalent. He must have acquired experience in civil registry work for at
least five (5) years immediately preceding the date of his appointment.

(b) The city civil registrar shall receive such 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 Valencia, pursuant to the Civil Registry Law, the Omnibus Election 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 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;

(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, within the prescribed period,
duplicate copies of registered documents required by law;

(v) Issue certified transcripts or copies of any certificate or registered documents
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; and

(vii) Coordinate with the National Statistics Office (NSO) in conducting educational
campaigns for vital registration and assist in the preparation of demographic and other
statistics for the City of Valencia; and

(3) 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,

SEC. 35. The City Administrator. ~ (a) The city administrator must be a citizen of
the Philippines, a resident of the City of Valencia, of good moral character, a holder of a
college degree preferably in public administration, law or in 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 management and administrative work
for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the date of his appointment.

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

(c) The city administrator shall receive such compensation, emoluments and
allowances as may be determined by law.

(d) The city administrator shall take charge of the city 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;


(2) Assist in the coordination of the work of all the officials of the local government
unit, under the supervision, direction and control of the city mayor, and for this purpose,
convene the chiefs of offices and other officials of the local government unit

(3) Establish and maintain a sound 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 advise the city mayor on all
matters relative to the management and administration of the City, and

(7) 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,

SEC. 36. The City Legal Officer. ~ (a) The city legal officer must be a citizen of
the Philippines, a resident of the City of Valencia, of good moral character and a member
of the Philippine Bar, One must have practiced his profession for at least five (5) years
immediately preceding the date of his appointment.

The term of the legal officer shall be co-terminus with that of his appointing
authority;

(b) The city legal officer shall receive such compensation, emoluments and
allowances as may be determined by law.

(c) 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 local government unit in all civil action and special proceedings
wherein the local government unit or any official thereof, in his official capacity, is a
party: Provided, That, in actions or proceedings where the City of Valencia 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 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 his opinion in writing on any question of law when requested to do so by
the city mayor or sanggunian;

(6) Investigate or cause to be investigated any local official or employee for
administrative neglect or misconduct in office, and recommend appropriate action to the
city mayor or sanggunian, as the case may be;

(7) Investigate or cause to be investigated any person, firm or corporation holding
any franchise or exercising any privilege for failure to comply with any term or condition


in the grant of such franchise or privilege, and recommending 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 ordinances and submit recommendations on 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 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

SEC. 37. 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 Valencia, of good moral character, a licensed social worker or a holder of a
college degree preferably in social work or in any other related course from a recognized
college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. One 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 such
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 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
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 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 disadvantages and impoverished and
development 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
exploitations;

(9) Assist the mayor, as the case may be, 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 drug addiction, the rehabilitation of prisoners 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 welfare programs that will enhance the role of the youth in
nation building,



(8) Coordinate with the government agencies and non-governmental 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 inhabitants, and

(11) 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.

SEC.38, The City Veterinarian. - (a) The city veterinarian must be a citizen of the
Philippines, a resident of the City of Valencia, of good moral character and a licensed
doctor of veterinary medicine, One must have practiced his profession for at least three
(3) years immediately preceding the date of his appointment.

(b) The city veterinarian shall receive such 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 slaughter houses;

(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 the veterinary-related activities, such as 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 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.


SEC. 39, The City General Services Officer, - (a) The city general services officer
must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City of Valencia, of good moral
character, a holder of a college degree in public administration, business administration
or management from a recognized college or university, and a first grade civil service
eligible or its equivalent. One 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 immediately preceding the date of his appointment.

(b) The city general services officer shall receive such 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 the same, particularly those which have to do with general services supportive
of the welfare of the inhabitants of 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 such space:

(5) Recommend to the City Mayor the 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 of 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, such as the possible
and imminent destruction or damage to records, supplies, properties and structure
materials or debris, particularly during and in the aftermath 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 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,



SEC. 40. 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 Valencia, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably
in environment, forestry, agriculture or in any other related course from a recognized
college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. One must
have acquired experience in environment and natural resources management,
conservation and utilization work for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the
date of his appointment

(b) The city environment and natural resources officer shall receive such
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;

(2) Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the city mayor,
implement the same, particularly those which have to do 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 forest, watersheds, tree
parks, mangroves, greenbelts and similar forest projects and commercial forest, 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) Promote the small scale mining and utilization of mineral resources, particularly
mining of gold;

(8) Coordinate with government agencies and non governmental 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;

(9) 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;

(10) 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

(11) 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,



SEC. 41, The City Architect. ~ (a) The city architect must be a citizen of the
Philippines, a resident of the City of Valencia, of good moral character, and a duly
licensed architect. One must have practiced his profession for at least five (5) years
immediately preceding the date of his appointment.

(b) The city architect shall receive such 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 the same, particularly those which have to do 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 for under the Local
Government Code of 1991;

(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 designed submitted by
governmental and non governmental entities or individuals, particularly those for
undeveloped and poorly designed areas;

(5) Coordinate with government and non-government entities and individuals
involved in the aesthetics and maximum utilization of the land and water within the
jurisdiction of the government unit, compatible with the 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 pantungsod 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 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

SEC. 42. The City Information Officer. ~ (a) The city information officer must be a
citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City of Valencia, of good moral character, a
holder of a college degree preferably in journalism, mass communication or in any
related course from a recognized college or university, and a first grade civil service
eligible or its equivalent, One must have experience in writing articles and research
papers, or writing for print, television or broadcast media for at least three (3) years
immediately preceding the date of his appointment.

(b) The city information officer shall receive such compensation, emoluments and
allowances as may be determined by law.


(©) 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
esearch 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 unit
and its residents,

(4) Furnish information and date on Local Government agencies of offices as may
be required by law or ordinance; and non governmental organizations 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 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 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 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

SEC. 43. The City Cooperatives Officer, - (a) The city cooperatives officer must be
a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City of Valencia, of good moral character, a
holder of a college degree preferably in business administration with special training on
cooperatives or in any related course from a recognized college or university, and a first
grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. One must have acquired experience in
cooperatives organization and management for at least five (5) years immediately
preceding the date of his appointment.

(b) The city cooperatives officer shall receive such 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 cooperatives and in providing access to such services and 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 integration of
cooperatives principles and methods in programs 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 non
government 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 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.

SEC. 44, The City Population Officer. ~ (a) The city population officer must be a
citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the City of Valencia, of good moral character, a
holder of a college degree preferably with specialized training in population development
from a recognized college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its
equivalent. One must have acquired experience in the implementation of programs on
population development or responsible parenthood for at least five (5) years immediately
preceding the date of his appointment.

(b) The city population officer shall receive such compensation, emoluments and
allowances as may be determined by law.

(c) The city population officer shall take charge of the office of the 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 the same, particularly those which have to do 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 data bank for program operations,
development planning and an educational program to ensure the people’s participation in
understanding of population development;

(5) Implement appropriate training programs responsive to the cultural heritage of
the inhabitants; and

(6) 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.


SEC. 45. The City Agriculturist. — (a) The city agriculturist must be a citizen of the
Philippines, a resident of the City of Valencia, of good moral character, a holder of a
college degree preferably in agriculture or in any other related course from a recognized
college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. One must
have practiced his profession in agriculture or acquired the experience in a related field
for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the date of his appointment

(b) The city agriculturist shall receive such compensation, emoluments and
allowances as may be determined by law.

(c) The city agriculturist shall take charge of the office of the agricultural 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 and aquacultural and marine products are
extended to farmers, fishermen and local entrepreneurs;

(ii) Conduct or cause to be conducted location-specific agricultural researches and
assist in making available the appropriate technology arising out of and disseminating
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;

(v) Coordinate with government agencies and nongovernmental organizations,
which promote 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 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 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 VIII
[HE CITY FIRE STATION SERVICE, THE CITY JAIL SERVICE,
THE CITY SCHOOLS DIVISION AND THE CITY PROSECUTION SERVICE.

SEC. 46. 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 the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The City shall provide the
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 the 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 such
as 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. 47. The City Jail Service. ~ (a) There shall be established and maintained in
the City a secured, clean, adequately equipped and sanitary jail for the custody and
safekeeping of prisoners, any fugitive from justice, or person detained awaiting
investigation or trial and/or violent mentally ill person who endangers himself 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 detention prisoners. Great care must be
exercised so that human rights of these prisoners are respected and protected, and their
spiritual and physical well-being are properly and promptly attended to.

SEC. 48. The City Schools Division. ~ (a) There shall be established and maintained
by the Department of Education (DepED), a city schools division of the City of Valencia
whose area of jurisdiction will cover all the school districts within the City.

(b) The ‘city schools division shall be headed by a city schools division
superintendent who must posses the necessary qualifications required by the DepEd

SEC. 49, 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 are 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 or 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
TRANSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 50. Municipal Ordinances Existing at the Time of the Approvall of this Act. ~
All municipal ordinances of the Municipality of Valencia existing at the time of the
approval of this Act shall continue to be in force within the City of Valencia until the
sangguniang panlungsod shall declare otherwise,

SEC. 51. Plebiscite. ~ The City of Valencia 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 Valencia within thirty (30) days
from the approval of this Act.

The Commission on Elections shall conduct and supervise such plebiscite.

The expenses for such plebiscite shall be borne by the Municipality of Valencia

SEC. 52. Officials of the City of Valencia. ~ The present elective officials of the
Municipality of Valencia 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. 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 Valencia

SEC. 53. Succession Clause, ~ The City of Valencia shall succeed to all the assets,
properties, liabilities and obligations of the Municipality of Valencia,

SEC. 54. Election of Provincial Governor and Sangguniang Panlalawigan
Members of the Province of Negros Oriental, — The qualified voters of the City of
Valencia 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 Negros Oriental

Jurisdiction of the Province of Negros Oriental. — The City of Valencia
shall, unless otherwise provided by law, continue to be under the jurisdiction of the
Province of Negros Oriental

SEC. 56. 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. 57. Legislative District, ~ Until otherwise provided by law, the City of
Valencia shall continue to be a part of the Third Legislative District of the Province of
Negros Oriental

SEC. 58. Applicability of Laws. ~ The provisions of the Local Government Code of
1991, and other laws pertaining to the Province of Negros Oriental and such laws as are
applicable shall govern the City of Valencia insofar as they are not inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act.


SEC. 59. Separability Clause, — If, for any reason or reasons, any part or provision
of this Charter shall be held unconstitutional, invalid or inconsistent with the Local
Government Code of 1991, the other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 60. Effectivity. This Act shall take fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in any newspaper of general and local circulation.
Approved,

oO