Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8984)
The official title of the Act is the "Charter of the City of Balanga."
The territorial jurisdiction of the City of Balanga comprises the present territory of the Municipality of Balanga, Bataan Province, as described by specific metes and bounds in the Act.
The City has perpetual succession, can sue and be sued, use a corporate seal, acquire and convey property, enter into contracts, and exercise other powers granted by this Act or laws.
The key elective officials include the city mayor, city vice mayor, sangguniang panlungsod members, among others.
The city mayor must be at least 21 years of age, an actual resident of the City for at least one year prior to the election, and a qualified voter of the City.
Both the city mayor and the city vice mayor hold office for three years unless sooner removed.
The city mayor is the chief executive, exercises powers under the Local Government Code and the Act, directs policy and program implementation, appoints officials, represents the City in business, enforces laws and ordinances, manages resources, and coordinates emergency and development activities.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod is composed of the city vice mayor as presiding officer, ten regular members, presidents of the liga ng mga barangay and sangguniang kabataan, and three sectoral representatives from women, workers, and other sectors.
They approve ordinances and resolutions, levy taxes and fees, approve budgets, regulate land use, impose penalties for violations, grant franchises, and ensure delivery of basic services.
Ordinances are presented to the city mayor for approval or veto. The mayor has ten days to act; failure to act means approval. The city mayor can veto ordinances or particular items, which the Sangguniang Panlungsod can override by a two-thirds vote.
Disqualifications include having been sentenced for crimes involving moral turpitude within two years of sentence completion, removal from office by administrative case, loss of citizenship, being a fugitive, permanent residence abroad, insanity, and conviction for violating the oath of allegiance.
If the city mayor's office becomes vacant permanently, the city vice mayor assumes the position. If the vice mayor refuses, the highest ranking sangguniang panlungsod member assumes office.
The Secretary of Finance appoints the city treasurer from a list of at least three ranking eligible candidates recommended by the city mayor, requiring residency in Balanga, good moral character, specific educational attainment, civil service eligibility, and five years of treasury or accounting experience.
The city legal officer represents the City in civil actions, drafts legal documents, provides opinions on legal questions, investigates misconduct of officials, prosecutes civil breaches, reviews ordinances and executive orders, and advises on legal matters including human rights protection.
Sessions are fixed at the first regular session post-election with minimum regular sessions once a week. Special sessions may be called. Sessions are open to the public unless closed by majority vote. Quorum is a majority of members, and rules govern order, discipline, and parliamentary procedures.
Members must disclose business and financial interests related to any ordinance or resolution before deliberation or voting, including ownership, investments, contracts, and relationships within the fourth civil degree that may affect public interest.
They formulate policies and technical support for environment programs, manage communal forests and natural resources, promote small-scale mining, coordinate pollution control efforts, and advise the mayor and Sangguniang Panlungsod on environmental protection.
The City shall establish at least one fire station with adequate personnel and equipment, headed by a city fire marshal with qualifications as provided under RA No. 6975, responsible for fire prevention, suppression, rescue, and emergency services.
The Act takes effect upon publication in at least two newspapers of general and local circulation.