Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 4894)
The law is officially known as the Charter of the City of Cadiz, enacted as Republic Act No. 4894 on June 17, 1967.
It covers the present territorial jurisdiction of the Municipality of Cadiz in the Province of Negros Occidental.
The City of Cadiz is a political body corporate with perpetual succession and possesses the powers of a municipal corporation to be exercised under the provisions of the Charter.
The Mayor is the chief executive with powers to enforce laws and ordinances, control city property, collect taxes, institute legal proceedings for the city, appoint officials, submit annual budgets, grant or revoke licenses, enact emergency measures, and veto ordinances subject to Board override.
The Mayor must be at least 30 years old, a resident of the city for at least five years before the election, and a qualified voter of the city.
It consists of the Vice-Mayor as presiding officer and eight councilors elected by popular vote. The Vice-Mayor votes only to break a tie.
An ordinance requires five affirmative votes to pass, must be signed by the presiding officer and secretary, posted publicly, and submitted to the Mayor for approval or veto within ten days. If vetoed, the Board can repass with a two-thirds vote, and if vetoed again, the President of the Philippines decides.
The City Treasurer acts as chief fiscal officer, custodian of city funds, collects all city taxes, licenses, and fees, disburses funds according to appropriations, accounts for all city funds and properties, and manages purchasing and financial statements.
Properties exempt include lands or buildings owned by the Republic, Province or City, and used exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, educational purposes; lands valued not exceeding 200 pesos owned solely by an individual; and machinery used for industrial/agricultural/manufacturing purposes during the first five years.
The Municipal Board may levy special assessments on lands specially benefited by public works. The ordinance describing the assessment is published, landowners can file protests, hearings are conducted, and the ordinance is approved or modified. Appeals may be made to the President or Secretary of Finance and the assessment is then levied as a lien on the property.