Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 526)
The City of Cabanatuan comprises the main territorial jurisdiction of the municipality of Cabanatuan in the Province of Nueva Ecija. The President of the Philippines may expand the city territory by executive order.
The City of Cabanatuan constitutes a political body corporate with perpetual succession and powers typical of a municipal corporation exercised under the Charter.
The Mayor is appointed by the President of the Philippines with the confirmation of the Commission on Appointments. The salary shall not exceed 5,100 pesos per annum with up to 2,000 pesos non-commutable allowance subject to Secretary of the Interior's approval.
The Mayor controls the executive administration, enforces laws and ordinances, safeguards city properties, collects revenues, institutes suits, supervises officers and employees, prepares budget, grants or revokes permits, and takes emergency measures among others listed in Section 9.
The Municipal Board is composed of eight councilors elected at large by popular vote during general elections for provincial and municipal officials as per the Revised Election Code.
Five members constitute a quorum, and five affirmative votes are necessary for passage of any ordinance or resolution directing payment or creating liability.
Among others, they may impose taxes, fix salaries, regulate licenses and fees for various trades, establish schools, police and fire forces, enforce public safety codes, regulate public markets, and abate nuisances.
The Mayor has veto power and may veto entire ordinances or specific items. The Board can override a veto with five affirmative votes, after which the ordinance takes effect. If vetoed again, it goes to the Secretary of the Interior whose decision is final.
The City Treasurer manages the finance department, collects taxes and fees, deposits collections daily, disburses authorized funds, keeps accounts, advises the city financially, and purchases supplies through authorized means.
The Board may levy special assessments on lands specially benefited by public works, with limits up to 60% of the cost. The ordinance shall describe the work, costs, affected district, payment period, and may have protests and appeals procedures as provided.
Exemptions apply to government and religious, charitable, educational properties not held for profit, lands owned solely by one owner valued up to 200 pesos, and machinery used for industrial purposes during first 5 years of operation.
The municipal court has a judge and an auxiliary judge, with jurisdiction over certain criminal and civil cases such as gambling, assaults without intent to kill, larceny under 200 pesos, and preliminary investigations for offenses regardless of punishment limit.
After one year of tax delinquency, the city acquires title subject to redemption rights. The property may be sold publically with payments possibly in installments. The delinquent or interested persons may redeem the property within prescribed periods by paying taxes, penalties, costs, and interest.
They may arrest without warrant persons found in suspicious places or circumstances indicating crime commission, offenders caught in the act, and anyone obstructing their official duties within the police limits of the city.
The health officer supervises the city's health and sanitation, enforces related laws and ordinances, prosecutes violations, recommends health ordinances, conducts sanitary inspections, keeps vital records, and performs additional duties as directed by the Director of Health.