Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 5906)
Republic Act No. 5906 is an act creating the City of Puerto Princesa, defining its territorial jurisdiction, government structure, powers, and administrative provisions.
The chief executive is the City Mayor, who must be at least 30 years old, a resident of the City or former Municipality of Puerto Princesa for at least two years prior to election, and a qualified voter therein.
The City Mayor enforces the Charter's provisions, safeguards city properties, initiates judicial proceedings, manages city revenues and employees, submits annual budgets, grants or refuses permits, and takes emergency measures, among other duties.
The City Council consists of the City Vice-Mayor as the presiding officer and eight councilors elected at large by qualified voters of the City.
The Council can levy taxes, fix salaries, make appropriations, regulate businesses and public safety, enact ordinances for public welfare, exercise eminent domain with proper approvals, and more as detailed in the Charter.
The City's police jurisdiction extends over its territorial limits and up to three miles from its shores, including areas within the drainage basin of the city's water supply and 200 meters around water infrastructure.
The City is not liable for damages arising from failure or negligence of its Mayor, City Council, or employees in enforcing laws, though aggrieved parties may file personal actions against specific officials.
The President appoints key officers (city judge, treasurer, engineer, fiscal, health officer, superintendent of schools) with consent of the Commission on Appointments. The City Mayor appoints other employees per Civil Service Law, with suspension and removal also governed by law.
The City Council may levy real property tax (not exceeding 1.5% ad valorem after 10 years), special assessments for public improvements, and other municipal taxes. Procedures for assessment, collection, penalties, sales, and redemption of properties are specified.
The City Engineer supervises surveying, public works construction, maintenance of public buildings, streets, parks, water utilities, enforces building safety, manages garbage collection, and inspects electrical installations, among others.
The City Health Officer supervises health and sanitary conditions, enforces health laws and ordinances, recommends health ordinances, prosecutes health violations, conducts inspections, and administers civil registries for vital events.
The City Court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases under the city's ordinances, with concurrent jurisdiction over certain criminal cases with the Court of First Instance, including minor offenses and preliminary investigations for higher cases.
The Mayor can grant or refuse municipal licenses and permits of all classes, including revoking them for violations or for reasons of public interest.
The City Council can override a veto by a two-thirds vote of all its members. If passed again, the ordinance takes effect 10 days after the override unless stated otherwise.
The City Council enacts an ordinance detailing the improvement, cost, district boundaries, and payment period. The ordinance is published with a list of affected landowners. Landowners may protest, and after hearings, the ordinance is approved or modified before collection.