Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9495)
The law is officially known as the "Charter of the Province of Quezon del Sur" as stated in Section 1 of the Act.
The Province of Quezon del Sur consists of the municipalities of Agdangan, Buenavista, Catanauan, General Luna, Macalelon, Mulanay, Padre Burgos, Pitogo, San Andres, San Francisco, San Narciso, Unisan, Alabat, Atimonan, Calauag, Guinayangan, Gumaea, Lopez, Perez, Plaridel, Quezon, and Tagkawayan.
The original Province of Quezon is renamed as Quezon del Norte.
The capital town and seat of government of Quezon del Sur is Gumaca, while the capital and seat of government of Quezon del Norte is Lucena City.
The province has perpetual succession, can sue and be sued, have and use a corporate seal, acquire and convey property, enter contracts and agreements, and exercise other powers subject to this Act or other laws.
The provincial governor appoints heads of departments and offices with the concurrence of the majority of the sangguniang panlalawigan members, subject to civil service rules and regulations.
The Provincial Governor exercises general supervision over the province's programs, appoints officials, represents the province in business transactions, implements policies, ensures delivery of basic services, enforces laws and ordinances, among others as detailed in Section 11.
If the Provincial Governor refuses to assume office, the highest ranking sangguniang panlalawigan member shall become the Provincial Governor as per Section 22.
Quezon del Sur has two legislative districts: the First District covers Agdangan, Buenavista, Catanauan, General Luna, Macalelon, Mulanay, Padre Burgos, Pitogo, San Andres, San Narciso, San Francisco, and Unisan; the Second District covers Alabat, Atimonan, Calauag, Guinayangan, Gumaca, Lopez, Perez, Plaridel, Quezon, and Tagkawayan.
The Provincial Governor must return the vetoed ordinance with written objections within 15 days; the sangguniang panlalawigan may override the veto by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all members, which will make the ordinance effective despite the veto.
The Provincial Treasurer must be a Filipino citizen, resident of the LGU, of good moral character, holder of a college degree preferably in commerce, public administration, or law, with first grade civil service eligibility, and at least five years experience in treasury or accounting service as per Section 26.
It is composed of the Provincial Vice Governor as presiding officer, regular sangguniang panlalawigan members, presidents of the Liga ng mga Barangay, Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan, provincial federation of sanggunian members of component cities and municipalities, and three sectoral representatives.
The Provincial Legal Officer must be a Filipino citizen, resident of the province, of good moral character, a Philippine Bar member with at least five years of law practice, as stated in Section 32.
No increase in the rates of local taxes shall be imposed within five years from its acquisition of corporate existence, including no increase in real property taxes, as per Section 54.
Subject to the Local Government Code, the sangguniang panlalawigan may enact ordinances levying taxes, fees, and charges, grant tax exemptions, incentives or reliefs, and authorize loans and issuance of bonds to finance development projects.