Question & AnswerQ&A (Commonwealth Act No. 326)
Commonwealth Act No. 326 is known as "The Charter of the City of Bacolod."
The City of Bacolod comprises the territory of the present municipality of Bacolod, in the Province of Occidental Negros.
The City of Bacolod constitutes a political body corporate with perpetual succession and possesses the powers which pertain to a municipal corporation, exercised in conformity with the provisions of its Charter.
The city may take, purchase, receive, hold, lease, convey, and dispose of real and personal property for its general interests; condemn private property for public use; contract and be contracted with; sue and be sued; and prosecute and defend to final judgment and execution.
No, the city shall not be liable or held for damages or injuries to persons or property arising from the failure of the Mayor, City Council, or other city officers to enforce the provisions of this Charter or any law or ordinance, or from their negligence while enforcing or attempting to enforce such provisions.
The police jurisdiction of the City of Bacolod extends three miles from the shore into the sea and over a two and one-half mile zone surrounding the city on land, including the drainage area of the water supply and within one hundred meters of any related water installation.
The Mayor is appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments of the National Assembly and holds office at the pleasure of the President. The salary is six thousand pesos per year, with an additional allowance of up to two thousand pesos per year approved by the Secretary of the Interior.
The City Engineer performs the duties of the Mayor during such times. If the City Engineer is incapacitated or the position is vacant, the City Treasurer performs these duties, and if both are unable, the President appoints someone to act as Mayor.
The City Council has powers including levying taxes, fixing fees, establishing and maintaining public schools, police and fire services, regulating businesses and licenses, maintaining public infrastructure, enacting ordinances for peace and good order, and imposing penalties for ordinance violations, among others.
No commercial sign, signboard, or billboard shall be erected or displayed on public lands, premises, or buildings. The Mayor may order the removal of offensive signs or nuisances after due investigation, and if not removed, the city may remove and forfeit them, charging removal expenses to the responsible person.
The President appoints the judge and auxiliary judge of the Municipal Court, city engineer, city treasurer, city assessor, city auditor, city attorney and assistants, the chief of police, and other heads of city departments, with the consent of the Commission on Appointments. The Mayor appoints other officers and employees subject to Civil Service Law.
The City Attorney serves as chief legal adviser, represents the city in civil cases, attends council meetings, drafts ordinances and contracts, prosecutes crimes and ordinance violations, investigates misconduct and violations by city officers or franchise holders, and manages legal affairs under supervision of the Secretary of Justice.
Real estate taxes are levied annually on assessed values, payable on or after March 1, with options for two installments. Delinquent taxes incur a penalty of 2% per month up to 24%. Taxes may be sold through seizure and auction of personal property or real estate to satisfy delinquent taxes, with rights of redemption provided.
The City Council consists of the City Mayor, City Engineer, City Treasurer, and six councilors; two appointed by the President with the Commission on Appointments' consent, and four elected by popular vote. The Mayor acts as President of the Council.
Ordinances require a majority vote of all Council members for passage and are forwarded to the Mayor for approval. The Mayor has 10 days to approve or veto. If vetoed, the ordinance may be repassed by a two-thirds vote of the Council, after which it becomes effective.