Declaration of Objectives and Core Values
- Make Baguio a dynamic, diverse, inclusive urban center and a hub for education, trade, and tourism.
- Adopt life cycle environmental protection aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
- Preserve historical and heritage value, promote eco-cultural tourism, and ensure educational prominence in Northern Luzon.
- Attain effective local governance, promote competitiveness, gender equality, and basic service delivery.
- Exercise proprietary powers for public welfare including water supply, waste management, traffic, housing, disaster risk reduction, and economic enterprises.
- Emphasize resilience, sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation with respect for cultural heritage.
- Public officials guided by core values: service, integrity, competence, transparency, accountability, resourcefulness.
Territorial Boundaries
- City jurisdiction covers present territory with disputes under appropriate agencies.
- Disputed areas remain under current LGU administration pending final resolution.
Corporate Powers of the City
- Baguio is a political corporate body with perpetual succession.
- Powers include suing and being sued, using corporate seal, owning/conveying property, entering contracts, and exercising powers under the Local Government Code and applicable laws.
General Powers
- Has a corporate seal registered with DILG.
- Can levy taxes/fees, open/close public roads and parks.
- Acquire, hold, lease, dispose real and personal property.
- Expropriate property for public use.
- Contract, sue, and prosecute as a corporate entity.
City Officials
- Includes Mayor, Vice Mayor, members of Sangguniang Panlungsod, Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod, and various department heads.
- Additional officers may be appointed by Mayor.
- Sangguniang Panlungsod may maintain, create or consolidate offices.
- Heads of departments appointed by Mayor with Sanggunian concurrence; deemed confirmed if Sanggunian does not act in 15 days.
- Compensation determined by law or ordinance; no immediate raise for top elective officials within their term.
City Mayor
- Chief executive, exercising powers under Local Government Code and city ordinances.
- Minimum monthly salary corresponding to Salary Grade 30.
City Vice Mayor
- Presides over Sangguniang Panlungsod with duties per Local Government Code.
- Minimum monthly salary corresponding to Salary Grade 28.
Sangguniang Panlungsod Composition
- Legislative body composed of Vice Mayor (presiding officer), 12 elected members, Barangay Liga President, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President, and Indigenous People’s representative.
- Regular members and sectoral reps elected by law.
Sangguniang Panlungsod Powers and Compensation
- Legislative powers including ordinance enactment, resolutions, appropriations.
- Compensation according to Salary Grade 27.
Process of Legislation – Internal Rules
- Adopt/update rules of procedure within 90 days of new session.
- Rules cover organization, committees, legislative process, parliamentary procedure, discipline with penalties.
- Suspension or expulsion requires two-thirds Sanggunian vote; expulsion automatic if convicted of crime involving moral turpitude.
Financial and Business Interest Disclosure
- Sangguniang members must disclose financial/business interests and familial/professional relations affecting ordinance consideration.
- Disclosure made in writing before deliberations/voting.
- Conflict of interest defined as private interest influencing public duty.
Sangguniang Panlungsod Sessions
- Fix day/time/place for regular sessions; minimum once weekly.
- Special sessions called as needed with notice.
- Sessions generally public; closed sessions require majority vote.
- Records maintained and may be published.
Quorum
- Majority of all members needed for quorum.
- If no quorum, recess or adjournment until quorum.
- Absent members without cause may be compelled to attend.
Approval and Veto of Ordinances
- Ordinances presented to Mayor for approval; Mayor may veto with written reasons.
- Veto override requires two-thirds Sanggunian vote.
- Mayor may partially veto appropriations or plans.
- Ordinance becomes effective after 10 days if not vetoed.
Review of Barangay Ordinances
- Barangay submits ordinances to Sanggunian within 10 days.
- Sanggunian has 30 days to approve or return with comments.
- Effectivity suspended if returned for revision.
Enforcement of Disapproved Ordinances
- Enforcement attempts of disapproved ordinances ground for suspension or dismissal.
Effectivity of Ordinances
- Ordinances effective 10 days after posting on City Hall and two conspicuous places.
- Penal ordinances posted for 3 weeks and published in newspaper.
Qualifications and Disqualifications of Elective Officials
- Same as provided under Local Government Code Sections 39 and 40.
Succession in Elective Positions
- Vice Mayor succeeds Mayor vacancy; highest ranking Sanggunian members succeed Vice Mayor vacancy.
- Ranking based on votes received.
- Vacancies filled by appointment if no automatic successors.
Appointive Officials – Qualifications, Duties, and Functions
- Officials include Secretary to Sangguniang Panlungsod, City Treasurer, Assessor, Engineer, Building Officer, Health Officer, Civil Registrar, Accountant, Social Welfare Officer, Budget Officer, Planning Officer, Administrator, Legal Officer, General Services Officer, Veterinarian, Human Resource Officer, Environment Officer, Disaster Risk Officer, Tourism Officer, Public Information Officer, Librarian.
- Qualifications generally include Philippine citizenship, residency in Baguio, good moral character, relevant professional or civil service eligibility, and experience.
- Duties include policy formulation, administration, supervision of departments, technical assistance to Mayor and Sanggunian, enforcement of laws, preparation of plans and reports, record keeping, representing the City legally, oversight of infrastructure, health, social services, public information, environment, disaster risk, tourism, and library services.
- Compensation as determined by law.
Special Officers and Additional Positions
- Mayor may appoint City Agriculturist, Population Officer, Cooperatives Officer, Solid and Liquid Wastes Management Officer, Traffic and Transportation Officer.
- Duties include development plans, assistance to Mayor/Sangguniang Panlungsod, technical support, regulatory functions, coordination with agencies, frontline service delivery especially during disasters or calamities.
Boards and Councils
- Local boards and councils under the Local Government Code continue to exist.
- Other local bodies such as Tourism Council, Convention Bureau, Sister Cities Committee, Character City Committee, Traffic Management Committee, Disaster Management Council, Solid and Liquid Waste Management Board, Market Authority, Creative Council, Smart City Council, and E-Governance Council continue or may be created for sustainable development.
Baguio Townsite Reservation and Watersheds
- Alienable/disposable land disposition per laws including R.A. 10023 and Public Land Act.
- Land use plan and zoning ordinance adherence required.
- Small alienable lands adjoining roads or easements not to be awarded but preserved as greenbelt.
- City to fund subdivision survey of alienable lands for planning and public use.
- Special Committee on Lands created to assist DENR and resolve land issues; chaired by City Mayor or Vice Mayor with DENR, NCIP, and others as members.
- City responsible for protecting forestlands and watersheds with DENR, NWRB, and Water District; BCDA retains jurisdiction over its lands.
Ancestral Lands
- Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (R.A. 8371) governs ancestral land claims.
- Pending ancestral land claims prevent land disposition until final denial.
Camp John Hay Reservation
- Camp John Hay Reservation is not part of Baguio Townsite Reservation and transferred to BCDA.
Transitory Provisions
- Existing ordinances remain effective until Sanggunian acts.
- Incumbent officials continue term.
- Baguio continues as lone legislative district.
- Retains identity as highly urbanized city within Cordillera Administrative Region.
- May cooperate with neighboring LGUs in BLISTT group.
Final Provisions
- Local Government Code provisions govern the City alongside other applicable laws for highly urbanized cities.
- Separability clause preserves valid parts if others are invalidated.
- Repeals outdated or inconsistent laws including Charter of 1917.
- Act takes effect 15 days after publication.