Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City Tue Fp

BY RE

DATE 29 Jur 2025

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2508

HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by REP. RAMIL L. HERNANDEZ

AN ACT
CREATING MANDATORY POSITIONS FOR A HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
OFFICER FOR MUNICIPALITIES, CITIES, AND PROVINCES, AND A BUSINESS PERMIT
AND LICENSING OFFICER FOR MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES, PRESCRIBING THEIR
QUALIFICATIONS AND DEFINING THEIR POWERS AND DUTIES, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 443, 454, AND 463 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, AS
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The proposed legislation, seeking to create the mandatory position of a Human
Resource Management Officer in local government units (LGUs), is previously filed by
Rep. Ruth Mariano-Hernandez through House Bill No. 1729. The Bill was thereafter
consolidated with similar bills with the addition of the mandatory creation of a Business
Permit and Licensing Officer for municipalities and cities, amending the Local
Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160). This same proposal was approved
by the House in the 19® Congress and transmitted to the Senate.

R.A. No. 7160 mandates a list of appointive officials common to LGUs who are in charge
of specific aspects of local governance. These include local treasurers, budget officers,
agriculturists, and health officers, among others. However, it does not specifically
include a human resource management officer (HRMO) and a business permit and
licensing officer (BPLO).

An HRMO is critical in ensuring and maintaining a competent government workforce.
Human resource management also involves the formulation and implementation of
plans that promote development interventions to achieve strategic organizational goals
and directions, translate them into operational programs, and consequently,
institutionalize a management paradigm and climate conducive to excellent delivery of
public service and promotion of public accountability.

Meanwhile, a BPLO will play a key role in ensuring legal compliance, public safety, and
revenue generation. The creation of a mandatory BPLO position balances the needs of
business operators, the public, and local economic development.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested.

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Approved,

RAMIL L/HERNANDEZ
2 Distrfet, Laguna

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2508

Introduced by REP. RAMIL L. HERNANDEZ

AN ACT
CREATING MANDATORY POSITIONS FOR A HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
OFFICER FOR MUNICIPALITIES, CITIES, AND PROVINCES, AND A BUSINESS PERMIT
AND LICENSING OFFICER FOR MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES, PRESCRIBING THEIR
QUALIFICATIONS AND DEFINING THEIR POWERS AND DUTIES, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 443, 454, AND 463 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, AS
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991

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

Section 1. Section 443 of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, otherwise known
as the Local Government Code of 1991 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SECTION 443. Officials of the Municipal Government. - (a)
There shall be in each municipality a municipal mayor, a municipal vice-
mayor, Sangguniang Bayan members, a secretary to the Sangguniang
Bayan, a municipal treasurer, a municipal assessor, a municipal
accountant, a municipal budget officer, a municipal planning and
development coordinator, a municipal engineer/building official, a
municipal health officer, [and) a municipal civil registrar [J, A
MUNICIPAL HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OFFICER, AND A
MUNICIPAL BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER.

Section 2. Section 454 of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, otherwise known
as the Local Government Code of 1991 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SECTION 454. Officials of the City Government. - (a) There shall
be in each city a mayor, a 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 coordinator, a city engineer, a city health officer, a city civil
registrar, a city administrator, a city legal officer, a city veterinarian, a city
social welfare and development officer, {and] a city general services

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officer[.], A CITY HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OFFICER, AND A
CITY BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER.

XXX!

Section 3. Section 463 of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, otherwise known
as the Local Government Code of 1991 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SECTION 463. Officials of the Provincial Government. - (a)
There shall be in each province a governor, a vice-governor, members of
the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, a Secretary to the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan, a provincial treasurer, a provincial assessor, a provincial
accountant, a provincial engineer, a provincial budget officer, a provincial
planning and development coordinator, a provincial legal officer, a
provincial administrator, a provincial health officer, a provincial social
welfare and development officer, a provincial general services officer, a
provincial agriculturist, [and] a provincial veterinarian, [] AND A
PROVINCIAL HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OFFICER.

XXX.

Section 4. New sections to be denominated as Section 490-A, Article XXI and
Section 490-B, Article XXII, are hereby inserted between Title V and Title VI after
Section 490, Article XX, of the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, to read as
follows:

“ARTICLE XXI
‘THE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OFFICER

“SEC. 490-A. APPOINTMENT, QUALIFICATIONS, POWERS, AND
12 DUTIES. - (A) NO PERSON SHALL BE APPOINTED AS HUMAN 13
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OFFICER UNLESS SUCH PERSON IS A
CITIZEN OF THE PHILIPPINES, A RESIDENT OF THE MUNICIPALITY,
CITY, OR PROVINCE, AS THE CASE MAY BE, OF GOOD MORAL
CHARACTER, A HOLDER OF A COLLEGE DEGREE PREFERABLY IN
PSYCHOLOGY, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, OR LAW FROM A
RECOGNIZED COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY, A FIRST-GRADE CIVIL
SERVICE ELIGIBLE OR ITS EQUIVALENT, AND MUST HAVE ACQUIRED
EXPERIENCE IN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OR
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR AT LEAST FIVE (5) YEARS IN
THE CASE OF THE PROVINCIAL OR CITY HUMAN RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT OFFICER, AND THREE (3) YEARS IN THE CASE OF 24
THE MUNICIPAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OFFICER, IMMEDIATELY
PRECEDING THE DATE OF APPOINTMENT.

THE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OFFICER SHALL BE
APPOINTED BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE CIVIL SERVICE
COMMISSION (CSC) FROM THE LIST OF AT LEAST THREE (3)
RANKING ELIGIBLE RECOMMENDEES OF THE GOVERNOR OR MAYOR,

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AS THE CASE MAY BE, SUBJECT TO CIVIL SERVICE LAW, RULES AND
REGULATIONS. SUCH APPOINTMENT SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO
CONCURRENCE OF THE SANGGUNIAN CONCERNED.

THE APPOINTMENT OF A HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
OFFICER SHALL BE MANDATORY FOR PROVINCIAL, CITY, AND
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF A HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OFFICE
SHALL BE OPTIONAL IN FOURTH TO SIXTH CLASS MUNICIPALITIES.

(B) THE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OFFICER SHALL BE
UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPERVISION OF THE GOVERNOR OR
MAYOR, AS THE CASE MAY BE.

(C) THE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OFFICER SHALL
REPORT ON MATTERS PERTAINING TO PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
PROCESSES, WHICH INCLUDE RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION OF
PERSONNEL, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, PERFORMANCE
MANAGEMENT, WELFARE, REWARDS AND INCENTIVES FOR SERVICE
EXCELLENCE, RULES AND REGULATIONS ON APPOINTMENTS AND
LEAVE BENEFITS.

(D) THE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OFFICER SHALL TAKE
CHARGE OF THE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OFFICE, AND SHALL:

1) FORMULATE FOR APPROVAL BY THE GOVERNOR OR MAYOR, AS
THE CASE MAY BE, A HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
THAT WILL ENHANCE PERSONAL MANAGEMENT PROCESSES IN
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONCERNED WITH EMPHASIS IN
AREAS OF RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION, CAREER
DEVELOPMENT, PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT, WELFARE,
REWARDS, AND INCENTIVES FOR SERVICE EXCELLENCE;

2) CREATE AND MAINTAIN A CENTRAL RECORD OF PERSONNEL
DEVELOPMENT DOCUMENTS SUCH AS APPOINTMENTS,
PERSONNEL DATA SHEETS, SERVICE RECORDS, STATEMENTS OF
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, LEAVE CREDITS, AND OTHER
PERSONNEL RECORDS;

3) CONDUCT CONTINUING HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMS AND OTHER CAPACITY BUILDING INTERVENTIONS
TO ENHANCE THE COMPETENCY OF OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES;

4) MONITOR AND EVALUATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UNIT CONCERNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CIVIL
SERVICE RULES AND REGULATIONS;

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5) ADVISE THE GOVERNOR OR MAYOR, AS THE CASE MAY BE, AND
THE CONCERNED SANGGUNIAN ON MATTERS PERTAINING TO
THE CIVIL SERVICE RULES AND REGULATIONS ON
APPOINTMENTS AND LEAVE BENEFITS OF EMPLOYEES;

6) ENSURE THAT CIVIL SERVICE LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS
AND ITS IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS ON
PERSONNEL MATTERS ARE PROPERLY EXECUTED;

7) ESTABLISH LINKAGES OR PARTNERSHIPS WITH HUMAN
RESOURCE ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT

UNITS; AND

8) PERFORM SUCH OTHER DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS, AND EXERCISE
SUCH OTHER POWERS AS MAY BE PRESCRIBED BY LAW OR

ORDINANCE.

“ARTICLE XXI
THE BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICER

“SEC. 490-B. QUALIFICATIONS, POWERS, AND DUTIES. - (A) NO
PERSON SHALL BE APPOINTED BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING
OFFICER UNLESS SUCH PERSON IS A CITIZEN OF THE PHILIPPINES, A
RESIDENT OF THE CITY OR MUNICIPALITY, AS THE CASE MAY BE, OF
GOOD MORAL CHARACTER, A HOLDER OF A COLLEGE DEGREE
PREFERABLY IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION OR OTHER RELATED
COURSE OBTAINED FROM A RECOGNIZED COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY,
A FIRST GRADE CIVIL SERVICE ELIGIBLE OR ITS EQUIVALENT, AND
MUST HAVE ACQUIRED EXPERIENCE FOR AT LEAST FIVE (5) YEARS
IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE
OF APPOINTMENT.

THE APPOINTMENT OF A BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING
OFFICER SHALL TAKE CHARGE OF THE BUSINESS PERMIT AND
LICENSING OFFICE, AND SHALL:

1) PROCESS AND ACT ON ALL APPLICATIONS FOR BUSINESS AND
MAYOR’S PERMITS REQUIRED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW,
ORDINANCE, RULES AND REGULATIONS, AND LICENSES AS WELL
AS OCCUPATIONAL PERMITS, INCLUDING THE ASSESSMENT OF
BUSINESS TAXES, FEES, AND CHARGES OF THE VARIOUS
BUSINESSES IN THE CITY OR MUNICIPALITY: PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, THAT ALL ASSESSMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO THE
AUTHORITY OF THE LOCAL TREASURER TO CONDUCT
EXAMINATION OF BOOKS OF ACCOUNTS AND OTHER
AUTHORITIES AS PROVIDED IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE
OF 1991, AS AMENDED;

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2) MONITOR AND ENFORCE THE APPLICABLE TAX ORDINANCES
AND OTHER PERTINENT LAWS, ORDINANCES, RULES AND
REGULATIONS IN THE OPERATIONS OF BUSINESSES AND
OCCUPATIONS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE CITY OR
MUNICIPALITY;

3) FORMULATE POLICIES AS A PROACTIVE MEASURE TO DRAW
LOCAL AND FOREIGN INVESTMENTS ESPECIALLY IN PRIORITY
AREAS/INDUSTRIES AS A TOOL TO DEFINE THE DEVELOPMENT
THRUST OF THE CITY OR MUNICIPALITY;

4) INITIATE, REVIEW, AND RECOMMEND TO THE MAYOR REVENUE-
GENERATING MEASURES TO INCREASE LOCAL REVENUES;

5) ENFORCE THE TAX ORDINANCES OF THE MUNICIPALITY OR CITY,
AND OTHER PERTINENT LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS;

6) CONDUCT TAX MAPPING AND REGULAR INSPECTION OF ALL
BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS EXISTING AND OPERATING WITHIN
THE TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF THE CITY OR
MUNICIPALITY;

7) ISSUE AND IMPLEMENT NECESSARY NOTICES AND ORDERS TO
CONCERNED ESTABLISHMENTS;

8) SIT AS A MEMBER OF THE LOCAL FINANCE COMMITTEE, LOCAL
INVESTMENT BOARD AND SUCH OTHER BODIES AS THE MAYOR
SHALL IDENTIFY; AND

9) PERFORM SUCH OTHER DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS, AND EXERCISE
SUCH OTHER POWERS AS MAY BE PRESCRIBED BY LAW OR
ORDINANCE.”

Section 5. Officers and employees of local government units concerned holding
permanent positions shall be given preference in the selection and appointment to the
positions herein created with those who are eligible and qualified for the position, given
priority by the Selection and Promotion Board.

No new employees shall be hired until all current qualified employees have been
considered and duly appointed. Temporary and casual employees who possess the
necessary qualifications and appropriate civil service eligibility for permanent positions
shall likewise be given preference in the selection and appointment to positions vacated
by those who have been appointed to the newly-created positions.

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Section 6. The appropriations for the permanent positions herein created,
including other related budget for their respective offices, shall be included in the
annual budget of the local government unit concerned of the year following the
approval of this Act, and thereafter.

Section 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

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