Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 4993)
The City of Dapitan shall comprise the present territorial jurisdiction of the Municipality of Dapitan, Province of Zamboanga del Norte.
The City of Dapitan is also known as the Shrine City.
The City Mayor must be at least 30 years old, a resident of the city or the former Municipality of Dapitan for at least two years prior to election, and a qualified voter therein.
The City Mayor holds office for a term of four years, beginning upon the expiration of the term of the incumbent municipal mayor.
The City Vice-Mayor is chosen in the same manner as the Mayor, has the same qualifications, performs duties and powers of the Mayor during temporary incapacity or vacancy, presides over the City Council with no vote except in a tie, and receives compensation in accordance with existing laws.
The councilor who obtained the highest number of votes during the election for members of the City Council shall perform the duties and powers of the City Mayor.
The City Mayor must submit a budget of receipts and expenditures at least two weeks before each fiscal year and exercise supervision of the shrine and relics of Dr. Jose Rizal including Rizal Park at Talisay and the Rizal relief map of Mindanao, subject to jurisdiction of the committee under the Office of the President.
The City Mayor has direct control over the Finance and Assessment Department, Engineering and Public Works Department, Law Department, Health Department, and Police and Fire Department.
The Auditor General appoints the City Auditor who has the rank of chief of a city department, audits all city accounts, and receives compensation partly payable from the national government funds.
The Chief of Police must be or have been a regular or reserve officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with at least the rank of captain or possess the corresponding civil service eligibility. They also serve as the ex-officio Chief of the Fire Department and receive additional compensation. Their duties include charge of the police department.