Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 4413)
The Act shall be known as "The Charter of the City of Dipolog."
The City of Dipolog shall comprise the present territorial jurisdiction of the Municipality of Dipolog, Province of Zamboanga del Norte.
The City of Dipolog constitutes a political body corporate with attributes of perpetual succession and possesses the powers which pertain to a municipal corporation.
No, the City shall not be liable for damages or injuries arising from the failure of the City Mayor, City Council or other officers to enforce the provisions of the Charter or other laws, provided that this does not prevent personal actions against city officials for acts or omissions in their duties.
The police jurisdiction extends co-extensively with its territorial jurisdiction, extends three miles from its shores, and includes the drainage area of the city water supply and within 100 meters of any associated reservoir, conduit, or pumping station.
The City Mayor must be at least 30 years old, a resident of Dipolog or the former Municipality for at least two years prior to election, a qualified voter, and serves a four-year term.
The City Council is composed of the City Vice-Mayor as presiding officer and eight councilors elected at large by qualified city voters.
The City Council may levy and collect taxes including a real property tax not exceeding 1.5% ad valorem (not imposed during the first 5 years), fix licenses, fees, and impose municipal occupation taxes on various professions and businesses.
The City Treasurer is the chief fiscal officer and custodian of city funds, responsible for collecting taxes and fees, administering markets and slaughterhouses, purchasing supplies, disbursing funds upon authorization, and rendering accounts in accordance with legal provisions.
Taxes are due annually on June 1 with penalties of 2% per month for delinquency, not exceeding 24%. The City Treasurer may seize personal property for unpaid taxes after 90 days delinquency, conduct public auctions for sale of property, and titles vest to the city after one year if delinquency continues, with rights of redemption provided to owners or interested persons.