Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 179)
Republic Act No. 179 is known as the Charter of Ormoc City.
Ormoc City comprises the present territorial jurisdiction of the municipality of Ormoc in the Province of Leyte.
Ormoc City constitutes a political body corporate with perpetual succession and the powers of a municipal corporation exercised in conformity with its Charter.
The Mayor is appointed by the President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments of the Congress, and holds office at the pleasure of the President.
The Mayor's salary shall not exceed four thousand pesos per annum, with a possible additional commutable allowance of up to two thousand pesos per annum with Secretary of Interior approval.
The Mayor enforces laws and ordinances, safeguards city property, ensures tax collection, institutes judicial proceedings, supervises city employees, examines city records, submits budgets, grants or revokes municipal licenses, and takes emergency measures for public safety among others.
The Municipal Board consists of the Mayor as presiding officer and eight councilors elected at large by popular vote.
Members must be qualified electors of Ormoc City, residents for at least one year, and at least twenty-three years old.
The Board can levy and collect taxes, including real property tax not exceeding two percent ad valorem, and fix tariffs, license fees, and appropriate funds for city expenditures.
The City Treasurer acts as chief fiscal officer and custodian of city funds with a salary not exceeding three thousand six hundred pesos. He collects taxes, licenses, rents, fines, fees, manages city funds, issues supplies, and renders periodic accounts.
The City Engineer oversees surveying, engineering works, public improvements, construction supervision, maintenance of streets and public buildings, sanitation services, and regulation of boilers and private docks among others.
They shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder after public advertisement for not less than ten days, on recommendation of the City Engineer and by the Mayor, unless the City Engineer is authorized to do it by administration with proper approvals.
The City Attorney, appointed by the President, serves as the chief legal adviser of the city and has charge of prosecuting crimes and legal representation of the city in civil cases.
The Municipal Court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases generally, concurrent jurisdiction with the Court of First Instance over certain specified offenses such as gambling, assaults without intent to kill, petty theft, and others.
Real estate taxes levied become due on June 1 and create a lien superior to all other liens or encumbrances, enforceable against any possessor, and can only be removed by payment of the tax and penalties.
Exempt property includes tools and implements necessary for the trade, one beast of burden, necessary clothing of the delinquent and family, household furniture and utensils up to 100 pesos in value, provisions for four months, professional libraries up to 500 pesos, and fishing boats and nets up to 100 pesos.
The Mayor may swear in special police as needed to avert danger or protect life and property, and such special police have the same powers as regular police while on duty.
The Municipal Board may enact ordinances levying special assessments on lands within districts specially benefitted by the improvements, with proper notice, public hearings, opportunity for protests, and possible appeals to the President, and must specify the improvements, cost, assessment period, and affected district.
The Mayor has general supervisory control over all city departments unless otherwise provided by law.
The Secretary of the Municipal Board, appointed by the Board, keeps records, publishes ordinances, affixes the Board's seal, and makes records available to the public during usual business hours.