Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 5444)
The City of Bais comprises the present territorial jurisdiction of the Municipality of Bais, Province of Negros Oriental.
The City of Bais constitutes a political body corporate endowed with perpetual succession and has the powers of a municipal corporation exercised in conformity with its Charter.
The City has a common seal, may hold, lease, convey real and personal property, condemn private property for public use, contract, sue and be sued, and exercise powers conferred by its Charter.
No, the city shall not be liable for damages arising from the failure or negligence of the Mayor or city officers to enforce laws or ordinances. However, aggrieved parties can file personal actions against officials.
The police jurisdiction is co-extensive with its territorial jurisdiction, extends three miles from its shores, and includes the drainage area of its water supply and within 100 meters of its reservoirs and pumping stations.
The person must be at least 25 years old, a resident of the city for at least two years prior to election, and a qualified voter of the city.
The Mayor enforces laws, safeguards city property, collects taxes, institutes judicial proceedings, supervises city officers, submits budgets, grants or revokes licenses, takes emergency measures, approves ordinances, and performs other duties as prescribed.
The Municipal Board is composed of the Vice-Mayor as presiding officer and eight councilors elected at large. The Board enacts ordinances, fixes taxes, salaries, and regulates various businesses and public welfare in the city.
Penalties shall not exceed a fine of two hundred pesos or imprisonment of six months, or both, for a single offense.
The City Treasurer collects taxes, licenses, rents, fines, administers markets and slaughterhouses, manages city funds, disburses funds according to appropriations, and acts as deputy of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue for tax collection within the city.