Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____ 
___________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative PABLO JOHN F. GARCIA     
___________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to convert the Municipality of Balamban in the Province of Cebu, 
into a component city to be known as Balamban City. 
The Municipality of Balamban that we know of today officially became a “pueblo” 
in 1878. An 1881 Spanish era document entitled “a La Errecion La Parroquia Del Pueblo 
De Balamban, attests that the community was officially recognized as a town even during 
Spanish colonial times. Its first administrator was Ciriaco Guiterrez, a Spanish Captain.  
The municipality is situated in the west coast of the Third Congressional District of 
Cebu Province, around eighty kilometers from Cebu City. It is bounded in the north by the 
town of Asturias; in the east by the town of Compostela and Cebu City, in the south by 
Toledo City, and in the west by the Tañon Strait. It is politically subdivided into 28 
barangays, six of which are now classified as urban areas namely: Brgys Aliwanay, 
Biasong, Buanoy, Cambuhawe, Baliwagan and Santa Cruz-Santo Nino. It has an area of 
three hundred thirty-seven (337) square kilometers – more than half of which is classified 
as alienable and disposable land which is distributed into residential, commercial, 
industrial, agricultural and open spaces for public use. Almost forty-five percent (44.51%) 
remains as timberland.  
Just a decade ago, Balamban was classified as a 4th class municipality. It did not 
take long, however, for the town to take off and progress considerably with the strong 
determination of its people and the responsiveness of its leaders coupled with the aid and 
strong support of the Provincial Government. Today, it is now categorized as a first class 
municipality, and the once quiet and sleepy town has now been completely transformed 
into the bustling industrial center in the western part of the province that is famous for its 
shipbuilding industry.  
As of 2010, the population of the municipality was 71,237 based on the 
Certification of Population Count issued by the National Statistics Office with a population 
growth rate of 3.69% which is relatively higher compared to nearby municipalities and 
cities and the national growth rate in general. This is due to a higher rate of inward 
migration brought about by the phenomenal growth of the town’s shipbuilding industry. 
Based on the above growth rate, the town’s population is now estimated to be more than 
eighty thousand (>80,000). 
For the same calendar year, the municipality locally-generated an income of One 
Hundred Twenty-Six Million Four Hundred Fifty-Four Thousand Three Hundred Thirty -
Two Pesos and Eighty-Six Centavos (PhP126,454,332.86). Being host to international 
companies that make up the town’s globally-competitive shipbuilding industry, it is 
projected that this figure has since skyrocketed in the last two years and will continue to 
do so every year. 
July 4, 2022
10:30 am
1018


 
With a vibrant shipbuilding industry complemented by the town’s traditional 
industries comprising of agriculture, fishing, local manufacturing and thousands of small, 
medium and large enterprises plus the town’s status as the rising industrial center in 
western Cebu, the municipality of Balamban has the potential to grow even more by leaps 
and bounds in the coming years. Hence, the local government must be at par with this 
growth potential and must roll out the necessary infrastructure complement that would 
spur further its growth and development. It must establish the necessary educational, 
health and other facilities to address the growing needs of its industries for qualified 
workforce.  
 
The conversion of the Municipality of Balamban is envisioned to enhance its robust 
economic development and financial prosperity and the entire Province of Cebu in 
general. The increase of its share on Internal Revenue Allotment once it becomes a 
component city will result to improvements in the delivery of social services to its growing 
population and will enhance its commercial and industrial use for a better business 
climate and entice more investments to pour in. Its conversion into a component city will 
certainly give it a self-sustaining economy requiring only minimal assistance from the 
province.  
 
Towards this end, it is necessary that the town’s status as a municipality be 
upgraded to that of a city to enhance its capacity to meet the growing demands of its 
industries. This is a necessary pre-requisite for Balamban to achieve its fullest potential 
and enhance its status as a new growth center in the Province of Cebu. Balamban is very 
qualified to become a city in terms of income and land area among others. Lastly, its 
elevation into a city will bring great joy, honor and pride among Balambanons and the 
Cebuanos in general.  
 
It is in this light that the conversion of the Municipality of Balamban into a 
component city of Cebu Province is earnestly sought and recommended.  
 
 
 
 
Rep. PABLO JOHN F. GARCIA 
3rd District, Province of Cebu 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____ 
___________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative PABLO JOHN F. GARCIA     
___________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
CONVERTING THE MUNICIPALITY OF BALAMBAN IN THE PROVINCE OF CEBU 
INTO A COMPONENT CITY TO BE KNOWN AS BALAMBAN CITY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
Section 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Charter of the Balamban City". 
Sec. 2. The Balamban City. The Municipality of Balamban shall be converted into 
a component city to be known as Balamban City, hereinafter referred to as the City, which 
shall comprise the present territory of the Municipality of Balamban, Province of Cebu. 
The territorial jurisdiction of the City shall be within the present metes and bounds of the 
Municipality of Balamban. 
The foregoing provision shall be without prejudice to the resolution by the 
appropriate agency or forum of existing boundary disputes or cases involving questions 
of territorial jurisdiction between the City of Balamban 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 contracts and/or agreements; and
(f) To exercise such other powers, prerogatives or authority subject to the limitations as
provided for in this Act or laws.
1018


Sec. 4. General Powers. The City shall have a common seal and may alter the 
same at pleasure. It shall exercise the powers to levy taxes; to close and open roads, 
streets, alleys, parks or squares; to take, purchase, receive, hold, lease, convey and 
dispose of real and personal property for the general interests of the City; to expropriate 
or condemn private property for public use; to contract and be contracted with; to sue and 
be sued; to prosecute and defend to final judgment and execution suits wherein the City 
is involved or interested in; and to exercise all the powers as are granted to corporations 
or as hereinafter conferred. 
 
Sec. 5. Liability for Damages. The City and its officials shall not be exempt from 
liability for death or injury to persons or damage to property. 
 
Sec. 6. Jurisdiction of the City. The jurisdiction of the Balamban 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 Balamban City shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the city 
or municipal court of the adjoining municipalities or cities, to try crimes and misdemeanors 
committed within said drainage area or within said spaces of one hundred meters (100 
m.). The court first taking cognizance of such an offense shall have jurisdiction to try said 
cases to the exclusion of the other courts. The police force of several municipalities and 
cities concerned shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the police of the City for the 
maintenance of good order and the enforcement of ordinances throughout said zone, 
area or spaces. But any license that may be issued within said zone, area or areas shall 
be granted by the proper authorities of the city or municipality concerned, and the fees 
arising therefrom shall accrue to the treasury of the said city or municipality concerned 
and not to the City. 
 
ARTICLE II 
CITY OFFICIALS IN GENERAL 
 
Sec. 7. The Officials of the Balamban City. (a) There shall be in Balamban City: 
a city mayor, a city vice mayor, sangguniang panlungsod members, a secretary to the 
sangguniang panlungsod, a city treasurer and an assistant city treasurer, a city assessor 
and an assistant city assessor, a city accountant, a city budget officer, a city planning and 
development 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, a city general services officer, a city cooperatives officer, and a city building 
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 population officer and 
a city agriculturist. 
 
(c) There shall be established in the City a city fire station to be headed by a city fire 
marshal, a city jail to be headed by a city jail warden and a city schools division to be 
headed by a city schools division superintendent. 
 
(d) The sangguniang panlungsod of Balamban City may: 
 
(1) Maintain existing offices not mentioned in subsections (a), (b) and (c) hereof; 
 
(2) Create such other offices as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the 
City; or 
 


(3) Consolidate the functions of any office with those of another in the interest of 
efficiency and economy. 
 
(e) Unless otherwise provided herein, heads of departments and offices shall be 
appointed by the city mayor with the concurrence of the majority of all the members 
of the sangguniang panlungsod, 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. 
 
ARTICLE III 
THE CITY MAYOR AND CITY VICE MAYOR 
 
Sec. 8. The City Mayor. (a) The city mayor shall be the chief executive of the City. 
He shall be elected at large by the qualified voters of the City. No person shall be eligible 
for the position of city mayor unless, at the time of the election, he is at least twenty-one 
(21) years of age, an actual resident of the City for at least one year prior to his election 
and a qualified voter therein. He shall hold office for three years, unless sooner removed, 
and shall receive a minimum monthly compensation corresponding to Salary Grade Thirty 
(30) as prescribed under Republic Act No. 6758, otherwise known as the Salary 
Standardization Law, and the implementing guidelines issued pursuant thereto. 
 
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 or calamities; 
 
(viii) 
Determine the time, manner and place of payments 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 city 
hall 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 this Act, and 
cause to be instituted administrative or judicial proceedings against any 
official or employee of the City who may have committed an offense in the 
performance of his official duties; 
 
(xi) 
Examine the books, records and other documents of all offices, officials, 
agents or employees of the City and, in aid of his executive powers and 
authority, require all national officials and employees stationed in or 
assigned to the City to make available to him such books, records and other 
documents in their custody except those classified by law as confidential; 
 
(xii) 
Furnish copies of executive orders issued by him to the Office of the 
President and the Office of the Secretary of the Department of the Interior 
and Local Government (DILG) within seventy-two (72) hours after their 
issuance; 
 
(xiii) 
Visit component barangays of the City at least once every six months to 
deepen his understanding of problems and conditions, listen and give 
appropriate counsel to local officials and inhabitants of general laws and 
ordinances which especially concern them, and otherwise conduct visits 
and inspections to ensure that the governance of the City will improve the 
quality of life of the inhabitants; 
 
(xiv) 
Act on leave applications of officials and employees appointed by him and 
the commutation of the monetary value of their leave credits in accordance 
with law; 
 
(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 to advise him on matters affecting the City and to make 
recommendations thereon; coordinate with said officials and employees in 
the formulation and implementation of plans, programs and projects; and, 
when appropriate, initiate an administrative or judicial action against a 
national government official or employee who may have committed an 
offense in the performance of his official duties while stationed in or 
assigned to the City; 
 
(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), the Commission 
on Higher Education (CHED) or the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC); 
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 or 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 
policies, programs, projects, services and activities of the City: 
 
(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 or 
appointive officials of the City, including national officials and employees 
stationed in or assigned to the City, at such time and place and on such 
subject as he may deem important for the promotion of the general welfare 
of the local government unit and its inhabitants; 
 
(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 his 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 the general and operational 
control and supervision over the police forces in the City in accordance with 
Republic Act No. 6975, otherwise known as the Philippine National Police 
Law; and 
 
(vi) 
Call upon the appropriate law enforcement agencies to suppress disorder, 
riot, lawless violence, rebellion or sedition, or apprehend violators of the law 
when public interest so requires and the city police forces are inadequate 
to cope with the situation or the violators; 
 
(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 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 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 permit, subject to such fines and penalties as may 
be imposed by law or ordinance, or to make necessary changes in the 
construction of the same when said construction violates any law or 
ordinance, or to order the demolition or removal of said house, building or 
structure within the period prescribed by law or ordinance; 
 
(vii) 
Adopt adequate measures to safeguard and conserve land, mineral, 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 or charges and for the 
recovery of funds and property; and cause the City to be defended against 
all suits to ensure that its interests, resources and rights shall be adequately 
protected; 
 
(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; 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. 
 
(c) During his incumbency, the city mayor shall hold office in the city hall. 
 
Sec. 9. The City Vice Mayor. There shall be a city vice mayor who shall be elected 
in the same manner as the city mayor and shall, at the time of his election, possess the 
same qualifications as the city mayor. He shall hold office for three years, unless sooner 
removed, and shall receive a monthly compensation corresponding to Salary Grade 


Twenty-six (26) as prescribed under the Salary Standardization Law and the 
implementing guidelines issued pursuant thereto. 
 
The city vice mayor shall: 
 
(a) 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; 
 
(b) 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; 
 
(c) Assume the office of the city mayor for the unexpired term of the latter in the event of 
permanent vacancy; 
 
(d) Exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions of the city mayor in case of 
temporary vacancy; and 
 
(e) 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 
sectoral representatives, as members. 
 
(b) In addition thereto, there shall be three sectoral representatives: one from the women; 
and, as shall be determined by the sangguniang panlungsod within ninety (90) days 
prior to the holding of the local elections, one from the agricultural or industrial workers; 
and one from the other sectors, including the urban poor or disabled persons. 
 
(c) The regular members of the sangguniang panlungsod and the sectoral representatives 
shall be elected in the manner as may be provided for by law. The elective members 
of the sangguniang panlungsod shall possess the qualifications as provided for under 
Section 39 of Republic Act No. 7160. 
 
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 and in the proper exercise of the 
corporate powers of the City as provided for under Section 22 of the Local Government 
Code, and shall: 
 
(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 sanggunian and 
of the punong barangay; 
 


(ii) 
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 ordinance; 
 
(iii) 
Approve ordinances imposing a fine not exceeding Five thousand pesos 
(P5,000.00) or an imprisonment for a period not exceeding one 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 for 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 houses of ill-repute, 
gambling and other prohibited games of chance, fraudulent devices and 
ways to obtain money or property, drug addiction, maintenance of drug 
dens, drug pushing, juvenile delinquency, the printing, distribution 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. To this end, it may set aside at least ten percent 
(10%) of its development funds for the purpose of maintaining and 
enhancing ecological balance of the City. It may also impose appropriate 
penalties for acts which endanger the environment, such as dynamite 
fishing and other forms of destructive fishing, 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 eutrophication of rivers and lakes or of 
ecological imbalance; 
 
(vii) 
Subject to the provisions of the Local Government Code and pertinent laws, 
determine the powers and duties of officials and employees of the City; 
 
(viii) 
Consistent with the Salary Standardization Law, 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 in a concurrent 
capacity at the rate authorized by law; 
 
(x) 
Provide a mechanism and the appropriate funds therefor to ensure the 
safety and the protection of all city government property, public documents 
or records such as those relating to property inventory, land ownership, 
record 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 officials 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 other 
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 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 and the 
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 exemption, incentive or relief; 
 
(iii) 
Subject to the provisions of Book II of the Local Government Code 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. The application for loans or other forms of indebtedness and 
the terms and conditions thereof shall, before approval, be published in a 
newspaper of general circulation in the City. Once approved, the contract 
covering the loans or other forms of indebtedness shall be furnished to any 
city resident requesting a copy thereof, upon payment of reasonable fees; 
 
(iv) 
Subject to the provisions of Book II of the Local Government Code and 
applicable laws and, upon the majority vote of all the members of the 
sangguniang panlungsod, enact ordinances authorizing the floating of 
bonds or other instruments of indebtedness, for the purpose of raising funds 
to finance development projects. The authorization to float bonds and other 
instruments of indebtedness shall be published in a newspaper of general 
circulation in the City. Once approved, the contract covering the floating of 
bonds or other instruments of indebtedness shall be furnished to any city 
resident requesting a copy thereof upon payment of reasonable fees; 
 
(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) 
Prescribe 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 that the formulation, 
adoption or modification of said plan shall be in coordination within 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; 
 
(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 
fire limits or zones in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Code; 
 
(x) 
Subject to national law, process and approve subdivision plans for 
residential, commercial or industrial purposes and other development 
purposes, and to collect processing fees and other charges, the proceeds 
of which shall accrue entirely to the City: Provided, however, That where 
approval of a national agency or office is required, 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 II of the Local Government Code, control 
fishing and related activities within the city rivers and waters; 
 
(xii) 
With the concurrence of at least two-thirds (2/3) of all the members of the 
sangguniang panlungsod, grant tax exemptions, incentives or reliefs to 
entities engaged in community growth-inducing industries, subject to the 
provisions of the Local Government Code; 
 
(xiii) 
Grant loans or provides 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 II of the Local Government Code, enact 
ordinances granting franchises and authorizing the issuance of permits or licenses, 
upon such conditions and for such purposes intended to promote the general 
welfare of the inhabitants of the City and, pursuant to this legislative authority, 
shall: 
 
(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 laws 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, regulate the operation of tricycles and grant 
franchises for the operation thereof within the territorial jurisdiction of the 
City; and 
 
(vii) 
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) 
With the concurrence of a majority of the members of the sangguniang 
panlungsod, a quorum being present, deny the entry of legalized gambling 
by ordinance into any part of the City or regulate its location in the City; 
 
(iii) 
Require the 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 said requirement, have the 
work done at the expense of the owner, administrator or tenant concerned; 
or require the filling up of any land or premises to a grade necessary for 
proper sanitation; 
(iv) 
Regulate the disposal of clinical and other wastes from hospitals, clinics and 
other similar establishments; 
 
(v) 
Regulate the establishment, operation and maintenance of cafes, 
restaurants, beerhouses, hotels, motels, inns, pension houses, lodging 
houses and other similar establishments, including tourist guides and 
transports; 
 
(vi) 
Regulate the sale, giving away or dispensing of any intoxicating malt, vino, 
mixed or fermented liquors at any retail outlets; 
 
(vii) 
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; 
 
(viii) 
Regulate the establishment, operation and maintenance of any 
entertainment 
or 
amusement 
facilities, 
including 
the 
theatrical 
performances, circuses, billiard pools, public dancing schools, public dance 
halls, sauna baths, massage parlors and other places for entertainment 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; 
 


(ix) 
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 
 
(x) 
Regulate the establishment, operation and maintenance of funeral parlors 
and the burial or cremation of the dead, subject to existing laws, rules and 
regulations; 
 
(5) Approve ordinances which shall ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the 
basic services and facilities as provided for under the Local Government Code 
and, in addition to said services and facilities, shall: 
 
(i) 
Provide for the establishment, maintenance, protection and conservation of 
tree parks and greenbelts; 
 
(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, taboan or 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 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 quantity of the water supply of the City 
and, for this purpose, extend the coverage of appropriate ordinances over 
all territory within the drainage area of said water supply and within one 
hundred meters (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 therefor; 
 
(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 the 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 DepEd, the CHED or the Technical Education and Skills 
Development Authority, 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 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 disabled persons, 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 and 
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 other powers as 
provided for under the Local Government Code of 1991, and those that are 
prescribed by law or ordinance. 
 


(b) The members of the sangguniang panlungsod of the Balamban City 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. 
 
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 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 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 his business and financial interests. He 
shall also disclose any business, financial, professional relationship or any relation by 
affinity or consanguinity within the fourth civil degree, which he may have with any person, 
firm or entity affected by any ordinance or resolution under consideration by the 
sanggunian of which he is a member, which relationship may result in conflict of 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 and submitted to the 
secretary of the sanggunian or the secretary of the committee of which he is a 
member. The disclosure shall, in all cases, form part of the record of the proceedings 
and shall be made in the following manner: 
 
(1) Disclosure shall be made before the member participates in the deliberations on 
the ordinance or resolution under consideration: Provided, That if the member did 
not participate during the deliberations, the disclosure shall be made before voting 
on the ordinance or resolution on second and third readings; and 
 
(2) Disclosure shall 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. 
 
(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. 
 
(c) All sanggunian sessions shall be open to the public unless a closed-door session is 
ordered by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members present, there being a 
quorum, in the public interest or for reasons of security, decency or morality. No two 
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 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 results. 
 
(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 
Balamban City , 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, he shall affix his signature on each and every page thereof; otherwise, he shall 
veto it and return the same with his objections to the sanggunian, which may proceed to 
reconsider the same. The sanggunian may override the veto of the city mayor by two-
thirds (2/3) vote of all its members, thereby making the ordinance or resolution effective 
for all legal intents and purposes. 
 
(b) The veto shall be communicated by the city mayor to the sanggunian within ten (10) 
days; otherwise, the ordinance shall be deemed approved as if he had signed it. 
 
Sec. 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 ultra vires or prejudicial to the 
public welfare, stating his 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 veto shall not affect the item or items which are 
not objected to. The vetoed item or items shall not take effect unless the sangguniang 
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 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 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 often (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. 
 
(c) 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 
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 ordinance is consistent with law and 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 the disapproval thereof shall be sufficient ground for the 
suspension or dismissal of the official or employee concerned. 
 
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 Balamban City Hall and in at 
least two other conspicuous places in Balamban City not later than five days after 
approval thereof. 
 
(b) The secretary to 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 
conspicuous places not later than five days after approval thereof. 
 
The text of the ordinance or the resolution shall be disseminated and posted in Filipino or 
English and in the dialect used by the majority of the residents of the City 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 
SUCCESSION FOR ELECTIVE CITY OFFICIALS 
 
Sec. 22. 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 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 
shall become the city vice mayor. If permanent vacancies occur in both the offices of the 
city mayor and the city vice mayor, the first and second highest ranking sangguniang 
panlungsod members, or in case of permanent incapacity of one or both of them, the next 
highest ranking sangguniang panlungsod member or members, shall become the city 
mayor and the city vice mayor, respectively. Subsequent vacancies in the said offices 
shall be filled automatically by the other sanggunian members according to their ranking 
as defined herein. 
 
(b) A tie between or among the highest ranking sangguniang panlungsod members shall 
be resolved by drawing of lots. 
 


(c) The successors as defined herein shall serve only the unexpired terms of their 
predecessors. 
 
(d) For purposes of this Act, a permanent vacancy arises when an elective local official 
fills a higher vacant office, refuses to assume office, fails to qualify, dies, is removed 
from office, voluntarily resigns or is otherwise permanently incapacitated to discharge 
the functions of his office. 
 
(e) 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 immediately preceding 
local election. 
 
Sec. 23. Permanent Vacancies in the Sanggunian. Permanent vacancies in the 
sangguniang panlungsod where automatic succession as provided above does not apply 
shall be filled by appointments in the following manner: 
 
(a) The 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 political party as that of the sanggunian member who 
caused the vacancy and shall serve the unexpired term of the vacant office. In the 
appointment herein mentioned, a nomination and a certificate of membership of the 
appointee from the highest official of the political party concerned are conditions sine 
qua non, and any appointment without such nomination and certification shall be null 
and void ab initio and shall be a ground for administrative action against the official 
responsible therefor; 
 
(c) In case the permanent vacancy is caused by a sanggunian member who does not 
belong to any political party, the city mayor shall, upon the recommendation of the 
sangguniang panlungsod, appoint a qualified person to fill 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 automatically by the official 
next-in-rank of the organization concerned. 
 
Sec. 24. Temporary Vacancy 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 ranking 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 of a 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 causes no longer 
exist. 
 
(c) When the city mayor is traveling within the country but outside territorial jurisdiction for 
a period not exceeding three 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 day of absence of the city mayor, subject to the limitations 
provided in subsection (c) hereof. 
 
(e) Except as provided above, the city mayor shall, in no case, authorize any local official 
to assume the powers, duties and functions of the office, other than the city vice mayor 
or the highest ranking member of the sangguniang panlungsod, as the case may be. 
 
ARTICLE VII 
THE APPOINTIVE OFFICIALS OF THE CITY 
 
Sec. 25. 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 he is 
a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the Balamban City, 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 and 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; 
 
(5) Forward to the sangguniang panlalawigan copies of duly approved ordinances in 
the manner provided for in Sections 56 and 327 of the Local Government Code; 
 
(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 for under the Local 
Government Code; 


 
(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, and those that are prescribed by 
law or ordinance. 
 
Sec. 26. The City Treasurer. (a) The city treasurer shall be appointed by the 
Secretary of Finance from a list of at least three ranking eligible recommendees of the 
city mayor, subject to civil service law, rules and regulations. 
 
(b) The city treasurer shall be under the administrative supervision of the city mayor, to 
whom he shall report regularly on the tax collection efforts of the City. 
 
(c) No person shall be appointed city treasurer unless he is a citizen of the Philippines, a 
resident of Balamban City, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree 
preferably in commerce, public administration or law from a recognized college or 
university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. He must have 
acquired experience in treasury or accounting service for at least five years. 
 
(d) The city treasurer shall receive such compensation, emoluments and allowances as 
may be determined by law. 
 
(e) The city treasurer shall take charge of the 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 may be entrusted to him by law or other competent authority; 
 
(4) Inspect private commercial and industrial establishments within the jurisdiction of 
the City in relation to the implementation of tax ordinances, pursuant to the 
provisions of the Local Government Code; 
 
(5) Maintain and update the tax information system of the City; and 
 
(6) Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as 
provided for under Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code of 1991, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance. 
 
Sec. 27. The Assistant City Treasurer. (a) The assistant city treasurer shall be 
appointed by the Secretary of Finance from a list of at least three ranking eligible 
recommendees of the city mayor, subject to civil service law, rules and regulations. 
 
(b) No person shall be appointed assistant city treasurer unless he is a citizen of the 
Philippines, a resident of Balamban City, of good moral character, a holder of a college 
degree preferably in commerce, public administration or law from a recognized college 
or university and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. He must have 
acquired at least five years’ experience in treasury or accounting. 
 
(c) The assistant city treasurer shall receive such compensation, emoluments and 
allowances as may be determined by law. 
 


(d) The assistant city treasurer shall assist the city treasurer and perform such other duties 
as the latter may assign to him. He shall have authority to administer oaths concerning 
notices and notifications to those delinquent in the payment of the real property tax 
and concerning official matters relating to the accounts of the city treasurer or 
otherwise arising from the offices of the city treasurer and the city assessor. 
 
Sec. 28. The City Assessor. (a) The city assessor must be a citizen of the 
Philippines, a resident of Balamban City, 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. He must have acquired experience in real property assessment work or in any 
related field for at least five 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 assessment 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 a 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; 
 
(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) Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as 
provided for under Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code of 1991, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance. 
 
Sec. 29. The Assistant City Assessor. (a) The assistant city assessor must be a 
citizen of the Philippines, a resident of Balamban City, of good moral character, a holder 
of a college degree preferably in civil or mechanical engineering, commerce or any related 
course from a recognized college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its 


equivalent. He must have acquired experience in assessment or in any related field for at 
least three years immediately preceding the date of his appointment. 
 
(b) The assistant city assessor shall receive such compensation, emoluments and 
allowances as may be determined by law. 
 
(c) The assistant city assessor shall assist the city assessor and perform such other duties 
as the latter may assign to him. He shall have the authority to administer oaths on all 
declarations of all real properties for purposes of assessment. 
 
Sec. 30. The City Accountant. (a) The city accountant must be a citizen of the 
Philippines, a resident of Balamban City, of good moral character and a certified public 
accountant. He must have acquired experience in the treasury or accounting service for 
at least five 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 to which expenditures and 
obligations may be properly charged; 
 
(5) Review supporting documents before the preparation of vouchers to determine the 
completeness of requirements; 
 
(6) Prepare statements 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 the subsidiary ledger 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 Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code of 1991, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance. 


 
Sect. 31. The City Budget Officer. (a) The city budget officer must be a citizen of 
the Philippines, a resident of the Balamban City, of good moral character, a 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. He must have acquired experience in government budgeting or in any related 
field for at least five 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 
appropriations matters for the signature of the city mayor; 
 
(2) Review and consolidate the budget proposals of the different departments and 
offices of the City; 
 
(3) Assist the city mayor in the preparation of the budget and during 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 officer 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 Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code of 1991, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance. 
 
Sec. 32. The City Planning and Development Officer. (a) The city planning and 
development officer must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of Balamban City, of 
good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably in urban planning, 
development studies, economics, public administration or any related course from a 
recognized college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. 
He must have acquired experience in development planning or in any related field for at 
least five 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 and development officer shall take charge of the city planning and 
development coordinating office and shall: 
 
(1) Formulate integrated economic, social, physical and other development plans and 
policies for 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 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 Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code of 1991, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance. 
 
Sec. 33. The City Engineer. (a) The city engineer must be a citizen of the 
Philippines, a resident of the Balamban City, of good moral character and a licensed civil 
engineer. He must have acquired experience in the practice of his profession for at least 
five 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 Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code of 1991, and those that are prescribed by law or ordinance. 
 
Sec. 34. The City Health Officer. (a) The city health officer must be a citizen of 
the Philippines, a resident of the Balamban City, of good moral character and a licensed 
medical practitioner. He must have acquired experience in the practice of his profession 
for at least five 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 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 programs geared to implement 
health-related projects and activities; 
 
(2) Formulate measures for the consideration of the sangguniang panlungsod and 
provide technical assistance and support to the city mayor in carrying out activities 
to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities 
relative to health services as provided for under Section 17 of the Local 
Government Code; 
 
(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; 
 
(4) In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the 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 ordinances 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 selling food 
items or providing accommodations such as hotels, motels, lodging houses, 
pension houses and the like, in accordance with the Sanitation Code; 
 
(vii) 
Conduct health information campaigns and render health intelligence 
services; 
 
(viii) 
Coordinate with other government agencies and nongovernmental 
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 and calamities; and 
 
(5) 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. 35. The City Civil Registrar. (a) The city civil registrar must be a citizen of 
the Philippines, a resident of the Balamban City, 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 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 
Balamban City, pursuant to the Civil Registry Law, the Civil Code and other pertinent 
laws, rules and regulations issued to implement them. 
 
(d) The city civil registrar shall take charge of the office of the city civil registry and shall: 
 
(1) Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the city mayor, 
implement the same, particularly those which have to do with the 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; 
 
(2) In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the city civil registrar shall: 
 
(i) 
Accept all registrable documents and judicial decrees affecting the civil 
status of persons; 
 
(ii) 
File, keep and preserve in a secure place the books required by law; 
 
(iii) 
Transcribe and enter immediately upon receipt all registrable documents 
and judicial decrees affecting the civil status of persons in the appropriate 
civil registry books; 
 
(iv) 
Transmit to the Office of the Civil Registrar-General, within the prescribed 
period, duplicate copies of registered documents required by law; 
 
(v) 
Issue certified transcripts or copies of any certificate or registered document 
upon payment of the required fees to the treasurer; 
 
(vi) 
Receive applications 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 treasurer; and 
 
(vii) 
Coordinate with the National Statistics Office in conducting educational 
campaigns for vital registration and assist in the preparation of demographic 
and other statistics for Balamban City; and 
 
(3) Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as 
provided for under the Local Government Code, and those that are prescribed by 
law or ordinance. 
 
Sec. 36. The City Administrator. (a) The city administrator must be a citizen of 
the Philippines, a resident of Balamban City, of good moral character, a holder of a college 
degree preferably in public administration, law or any other related course from a 
recognized college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. 
He must have acquired experience in management and administrative work for at least 
five 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; 
 
(2) In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the city administrator shall: 
 
(i) 
Assist in the coordination of the work of all the officials of the City under the 
supervision, direction and control of the city mayor and, for this purpose, he 
may convene the chiefs of offices and other officials of the City; 
 
(ii) 
Establish and maintain a sound personnel program for the City designed to 
promote career development and uphold the merit principle in the local 
government service; and 
 
(iii) 
Conduct a continuing organizational development of the City with the end 
in view of instituting effective administrative reforms. 
 
(3) 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; 
 
(4) Recommend to the sangguniang panlungsod and advise the city mayor on all 
matters relative to the management and administration of the City; and 
 
(5) Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as 
provided for under the Local Government Code, and those that are prescribed by 
law or ordinance. 
 
Sec. 37. The City Legal Officer. (a) The city legal officer must be a citizen of the 
Philippines, a resident of Balamban City, of good moral character and a member of the 
Philippine Bar. He must have practiced his profession for at least five years immediately 
preceding the date of his appointment. The term of the city legal officer shall be 
coterminous with that of the 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) In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the city legal officer shall: 
 


(i) 
Represent the Balamban City in all civil actions and special proceedings 
wherein the City or any of its official, in his official capacity, is a party: 
Provided, That in actions or proceedings where the City is a party adverse 
to the provincial government or to another component city or municipality, a 
special legal officer may be employed to represent the adverse party; 
 
(ii) 
When required by the city mayor or sangguniang panlungsod, draft 
ordinances, contracts, bonds, leases and other instruments, involving any 
interest of the City and provide comments and recommendations on any 
instrument already drawn; 
 
(iii) 
Render his opinion in writing on any question of law when requested to do 
so by the city mayor or sangguniang panlungsod; 
 
(iv) 
Investigate or cause to be investigated any city official or employee for 
administrative neglect or misconduct in office, and recommend appropriate 
action to the city mayor or sangguniang panlungsod, as the case may be; 
 
(v) 
Investigate or cause to be investigated any person, firm or corporation 
holding any franchise or exercising any public privilege for failure to comply 
with any term or condition in the grant of such franchise or privilege, and 
recommending appropriate action to the city mayor or sangguniang 
panlungsod, as the case may be; 
 
(vi) 
When directed by the city mayor or sangguniang panlungsod, initiate and 
prosecute in the interest of the Balamban City any civil action on any bond, 
lease or other contract upon any breach or violation thereof; and 
 
(vii) 
Review and submit recommendations on ordinances approved and 
executive orders issued by component barangays; 
 
(4) Recommend measures to the sangguniang panlungsod and advise the city mayor 
on all matters related to upholding the rule of law; 
 
(5) 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 
 
(6) Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as 
provided for under the Local Government Code, and those that are prescribed by 
law or ordinance. 
 
Sec. 38. 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 
Balamban City, of good moral character, a duly licensed social worker or a holder of a 
college degree preferably in sociology or any other related course from a recognized 
college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. He must have 
acquired experience in the practice of social work for at least five years immediately 
preceding the date of his 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) In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the city social welfare and 
development officer shall: 
 
(i) 
Identify the basic needs of the needy, the disadvantaged and the 
impoverished and develop and implement appropriate measures to 
alleviate their problems and improve their living conditions; 
 
(ii) 
Provide relief and appropriate crisis intervention for victims of abuse and 
exploitation and recommend appropriate measures to deter further abuse 
and exploitation; 
 
(iii) 
Assist the city mayor in implementing the barangay level program for the 
total development and protection of children up to six years of age; 
 
(iv) 
Facilitate the implementation of welfare programs for the differently-abled, 
elderly, and victims of drug addiction, the rehabilitation of prisoners and 
parolees, the prevention of juvenile delinquency and such other activities 
which would eliminate or minimize the ill-effects of poverty; 
 
(v) 
Initiate and support youth welfare programs that will enhance the role of the 
youth in nation-building; and 
 
(vi) 
Coordinate with government agencies and nongovernmental organizations 
which have for their purpose the promotion and protection of all needy, 
disadvantaged, underprivileged or impoverished groups or individuals, 
particularly those identified to be vulnerable and high-risk to exploitation, 
abuse and neglect; 
 
(4) 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; 
 
(5) 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 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, and those that are prescribed by 
law or ordinance. 
 
Sec. 39. The City Veterinarian. (a) The city veterinarian must be a citizen of the 
Philippines, a resident of Balamban City, of good moral character and a licensed doctor 
of veterinary medicine. He must have practiced his profession for at least three 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 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) In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the city veterinarian shall: 
 
(i) 
Advise the city mayor on all matters pertaining to the slaughter of animals 
for human consumption and the regulation of slaughterhouses; 
 
(ii) 
Regulate the keeping of domestic animals; 
 
(iii) 
Regulate and inspect poultry, milk and dairy products for public 
consumption; 
 
(iv) 
Enforce all laws and regulations for the prevention of cruelty to animals; and 
 
(v) 
Take the necessary measures to eradicate, prevent or cure all forms of 
animal diseases; 
 
(4) 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; 
 
(5) Recommend to the sangguniang panlungsod and advise the city mayor on all other 
matters relative to 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 
 
(6) Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as 
provided for under the Local Government Code, and those that are prescribed by 
law or ordinance. 
 
Sec. 40. The City General Services Officer. (a) The city general services officer 
must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of Balamban City, of good moral character, 
a holder of a college degree in public administration, business administration and 
management from a recognized college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible 
or its equivalent. He must have acquired experience in general services, including the 
management of supply, property, solid waste disposal and general sanitation for at least 
five 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 on 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 and 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) In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the city general services officer 
shall: 
 
(i) 
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; 
 
(ii) 
With the approval of the city mayor, assign building or landspace to city 
officials and other public officials who by law, are entitled to such space; 
 
(iii) 
Recommend to the city mayor reasonable rental rates for city properties, 
whether real or personal, which will be leased to public or private entities by 
the city government; 
 
(iv) 
Recommend to the city mayor reasonable rental rates of private properties 
which may be leased for the official use of the city government; 
 
(v) 
Maintain and supervise janitorial, security, government public buildings and 
other real property, whether owned or leased by the city government; 
 
(vi) 
Collate and disseminate information regarding prices, shipping and other 
costs of supplies and other items commonly used by the city government; 
 
(vii) 
Perform archival and record management with respect to records of offices 
and departments of the city government; and 
 
(viii) 
Perform all other functions pertaining to supply and property management 
and enforce policies on records creation, maintenance and disposal; 
 
(4) Be in the frontline of general services-related activities, such as the possible or 
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; 
 
(5) Recommend to the sangguniang panlungsod and advise the city mayor on all other 
matters relative to general services; and 
 
(6) Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as 
provided for under the Local Government Code, and those that are prescribed by 
law or ordinance. 
 
Sec. 41. 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 Balamban City , of good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably in 
environment, forestry, agriculture or any other related course from a recognized college 
or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. He must have 
acquired experience in the environment and natural resources management, 
conservation and utilization work for at least five 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 
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; 
 
(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 for 
under the Local Government Code; 
 
(3) In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the city environment and natural 
resources officer shall; 
 
(i) 
Establish, maintain, protect and preserve communal forests, watersheds, 
tree parks, mangroves, greenbelts and similar forest projects and 
commercial forests, like industrial tree farms and agro-forestry projects; 
 
(ii) 
Provide extension services to the beneficiaries of forest development 
projects and technical, financial, and infrastructure assistance; 
 
(iii) 
Manage and maintain seedbanks and produce seedlings for forests and 
tree parks; 
 
(iv) 
Render assistance for natural resources-related conservation and utilization 
activities consistent with ecological balance; 
 
(v) 
Promote the small-scale mining and utilization of mineral resources 
particularly mining of gold; and 
 
(vi) 
Coordinate with government agencies and nongovernmental organizations 
in the implementation of measures to prevent and control land, air and water 
pollution with the assistance of the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources; 
 
(4) 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; 
 
(5) 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 
 
(6) Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as 
provided for under the Local Government Code, and those that are prescribed by 
law or ordinance. 
 
Sec. 42. The City Architect. (a) The city architect must be a citizen of the 
Philippines, a resident of Balamban City, of good moral character and a duly licensed 
architect. He must have practiced his profession for at least five 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 on 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; 
 
(3) In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the city architect shall: 
 
(i) 
Prepare and recommend for consideration of the sangguniang panlungsod 
the architectural plan and design for the City 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; 
 
(ii) 
Review and recommend for appropriate action of the sangguniang 
panlungsod or city mayor the architectural plans and designs submitted by 
government and nongovernment entities or individuals, particularly those 
undeveloped, underdeveloped and poorly-designed areas; and 
 
(iii) 
Coordinate with government and nongovernment entities and individuals 
involved in the aesthetics and the maximum utilization of land and water 
within the jurisdiction of the City, compatible with environmental integrity 
and ecological balance; 
 
(4) 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; 
 
(5) Recommend to the sangguniang panlungsod and advise the city mayor on all 
matters relative to architectural planning and design as it relates to the total 
socioeconomic development of the City; and 
 
(6) Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as 
provided for under the Local Government Code, and those that are prescribed by 
law or ordinance. 
 
Sec. 43. The City Information Officer. (a) The city information officer must be a 
citizen of the Philippines, a resident of Balamban City, of good moral character, a holder 
of a college degree preferably in journalism, mass communication or any related course 
from a recognized college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its 
equivalent. He must have acquired experience in writing articles and research papers, or 
writing for print, television, broadcast or other forms of mass media for at least five 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. 
 


(c) The city information officer shall take charge of the city information and community 
relations department and shall: 
 
(1) Formulate measures for the consideration of the sangguniang panlungsod and 
provide technical assistance and support to the city mayor in providing the 
information and research data required for the delivery of basic services and the 
provision of adequate facilities so that the public becomes aware of said services 
and may fully avail of the same; 
 
(2) Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the city mayor, 
implement the same, particularly those which have to do with public information 
and research data to support programs and projects which the city mayor is 
empowered to implement and which the sangguniang panlungsod is empowered 
to provide; 
 
(3) In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the city information officer shall: 
 
(i) 
Provide relevant, adequate and timely information to the City and its 
residents; 
 
(ii) 
Furnish information and data on the City to government agencies or offices 
as may be required by law or ordinance and nongovernmental organizations 
to be furnished to said agencies and organizations; and 
 
(iii) 
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; 
 
(4) Be in the frontline in providing information during and in the aftermath of man-made 
and natural disasters and calamities, with special attention to the victims thereof, 
to help minimize injuries and casualties during and after the emergency, and to 
accelerate relief and rehabilitation; 
 
(5) Recommend to the sangguniang panlungsod and advise the city mayor on all 
matters relative to public information and research data as it relates to the total 
socioeconomic development of the City; and 
 
(6) Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as 
provided for under the Local Government Code, and those that are prescribed by 
law or ordinance. 
 
Sec. 44. The City Cooperatives Officer. (a) The city cooperatives officer must be 
a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of Balamban City, of good moral character, a holder 
of a college degree preferably in business administration with special training on 
cooperatives or any related course from a recognized college or university, and a first 
grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. He must have acquired experience in 
cooperatives organization and management for at least five 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 adequate 
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 
cooperative principles and methods in programs 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 cooperatives officer shall; 
 
(i) 
Assist in the organization of cooperatives; 
 
(ii) 
Provide technical and other forms of assistance to existing cooperatives to 
enhance their viability as an economic enterprise and social organization; 
and 
 
(iii) 
Assist cooperatives in establishing linkages with government agencies and 
nongovernment organizations involved in the promotion and integration of 
the concept of cooperatives in the livelihood of the people and other 
community activities; 
 
(4) Be in the frontline of cooperative organization, rehabilitation or viability 
enhancement, particularly during and in the aftermath of man-made and natural 
disasters and calamities, to aid in their survival and, if necessary, subsequent 
rehabilitation; 
 
(5) 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 
 
(6) Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as 
provided for under the Local Government Code, and those that are prescribed by 
law or ordinance. 
 
Sec. 45. The City Population Officer. (a) The city population officer must be a 
citizen of the Philippines, a resident of Balamban City, 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. 
He must have acquired experience in the implementation of programs on population 
development or responsible parenthood for at least five 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 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; and 
 
(3) In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the city population officer shall: 
 
(i) 
Assist the city mayor in the implementation of the constitutional provisions 
relative to population development and the promotion of responsible 
parenthood; 
 
(ii) 
Establish and maintain an updated data bank for program operations, 
development planning and an educational program to ensure the people's 
participation in and understanding of population development; and 
 
(iii) 
Implement appropriate training programs responsive to the cultural heritage 
of the inhabitants; and 
 
(4) Perform such other duties and functions and exercise such other powers as 
provided for under the Local Government Code, and those that are prescribed by 
law or ordinance. 
 
Sec. 46. The City Agriculturist. (a) The city agriculturist must be a citizen of the 
Philippines, a resident of Balamban City, of good moral character, a holder of a college 
degree preferably in agriculture or any other related course from a recognized college or 
university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. He must have practiced 
his profession in agriculture or acquired the experience in a related field for at least five 
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 for 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 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 the extension services of 
demonstration farms or aquaculture and marine products; 
 
(iv) 
Enforce rules and regulations relating to agriculture and aquaculture; and 
 
(v) 
Coordinate with government agencies and nongovernmental organizations 
which promote agricultural productivity through appropriate 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 relative to agriculture and aquaculture which will improve the livelihood 
and 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, and those that are prescribed by 
law or ordinance. 
 
ARTICLE VIII 
THE CITY FIRE STATION SERVICE, THE CITY JAIL SERVICE, 
THE CITY SCHOOLS DIVISION AND THE CITY 
PROSECUTION SERVICE 
 
Sec. 47. The City Fire Station Service. There shall be established in the City at 
least one fire station with adequate personnel, fire fighting 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. 
 
The city fire station shall be responsible for the provision of various emergency 
services such as the rescue and evacuation of injured people at fire-related incidents and, 
in general, all fire prevention and suppression measures to secure the safety of life and 
property of the citizenry. 
 
Sec. 48. 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 who must be a graduate of a 
four-year course in psychology, psychiatry, sociology, nursing, social work or criminology 
who shall assist in the immediate rehabilitation of individuals or detention of 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. Likewise, the City shall ensure that proper separate detention centers for juveniles and 
women are provided for. 
 
Sec. 49. The City Schools Division. (a) There shall be established and 
maintained by the DepEd a city schools division of the Balamban City 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 possess the necessary qualifications required by the DepEd. 


 
Sec. 50. 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. 51. Municipal Ordinances Existing at the Time of the Approval of this 
Act. All municipal ordinances of the Municipality of Balamban existing at the time of the 
approval of this Act shall continue to be in force within the Balamban City until the 
sangguniang panlungsod ordinance shall provide otherwise. 
 
Sec. 52. Plebiscite. The Balamban City 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 Balamban within thirty (30) days 
from the approval of this Act. The expenses for such plebiscite shall be borne by the 
Municipality of Balamban. The Commission on Elections shall conduct and supervise 
such plebiscite. 
 
Sec. 53. Officials of the Balamban City. The present elective officials of the 
Municipality of Balamban shall continue to exercise their powers and functions until such 
time that a new election is held and the duly elected officials shall have already qualified 
and assumed their offices. The appointive officials and employees of the Municipality of 
Balamban shall likewise continue exercising their functions and duties and they shall be 
automatically absorbed by the City Government of the Balamban City. 
 
Sec. 54. Succession Clause. The Balamban City shall succeed to all the assets, 
properties, liabilities and obligations of the Municipality of Balamban. 
 
Sec. 55. Election of Provincial Governor and Sangguniang Panlalawigan 
Members of the Province of Cebu. The qualified voters of the Balamban City 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 offices 
for the Province of Cebu. 
 
Sec. 56. Jurisdiction of the Province of Cebu. The Balamban City shall, unless 
otherwise provided by law, continue to be under the jurisdiction of the Province of Cebu. 
 
Sec. 57. 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 years from its 
acquisition of corporate existence. 
 
Sect. 58. Representative District. Until otherwise provided by law, the Balamban 
City shall continue to be a part of the Third Congressional District of the Province of Cebu. 
 


Sec. 59. Limitation. Within three years from the approval of this Act, no new race 
track, jai-alai fronton, gambling casino or cockpit shall be licensed or allowed to operate 
in the City. 
 
Sec. 60. Reservation. Nothing herein contained shall preclude the determination 
by the appropriate agency or forum of boundary disputes or cases involving questions of 
territorial jurisdiction between the Balamban City and any of the adjoining local 
government units even after the effectivity of this Act. 
 
Sec. 61. Applicability of Laws. The provisions of Republic Act No. 7160, 
otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, and other laws pertaining to 
the Province of Cebu and such laws as are applicable to cities shall govern the Balamban 
City insofar as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act. 
 
Sec. 62. Compliant to Republic Act No. 9009. The Balamban City shall be in 
compliant to the income requirement prescribed under Republic Act No. 9009. 
 
Sec. 63. 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. Moreover, in cases where this Charter 
is silent or unclear, the pertinent provisions of the Local Government Code shall govern, 
if so provided therein. 
 
Sec. 64. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in at least two newspapers of general and local circulation. 
 
Approved,