Corporate and General Powers of the City
- Vigan is a political body corporate with perpetual succession.
- Powers include suing and being sued, use of a corporate seal, acquisition and conveyance of property, contracting, and exercising powers essential for governance.
- The City can levy taxes, manage public properties, expropriate for public use, enter contracts, and exercise legal rights.
- Officials and the City are liable for injuries or damages.
Police Jurisdiction and Courts
- Police jurisdiction covers the entire city territory.
- Jurisdiction also extends to areas protecting water supply (drainage areas and within 100 meters of water facilities).
- Courts in Vigan and adjoining municipalities have concurrent jurisdiction over crimes within protected zones.
City Officials and Their Appointment
- Lists elected and appointed city officials including mayor, vice mayor, various department heads, and specialized officers.
- The mayor appoints officials subject to Sanggunian confirmation and civil service regulations.
- A mechanism to consolidate or create offices for efficiency is provided.
The Mayor’s Role, Powers, and Duties
- Chief executive elected at large with term of three years.
- Must be at least 21 years old, a qualified voter, and resident for at least one year.
- Responsibilities include policy formation, development planning, legislative proposals, appointment powers, representation, enforcement of laws, and emergency powers.
- Has veto powers and oversees financial management, licenses, and resource generation.
- Can deputize police forces and call law enforcement agencies to maintain order.
The Vice Mayor’s Role and Powers
- Elected similarly to the mayor with three-year term.
- Presides over the Sanggunian and signs expenditure warrants.
- Appoints certain officials and employees with legislative support.
- Assumes mayoral duties during vacancies or temporary incapacity.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council)
- Composed of the vice mayor (presiding officer), ten elected members, barangay and youth federation presidents, and sectoral representatives.
- Powers include enactment of ordinances, resolutions, fiscal management, and regulation of local businesses and services.
- Has authority to approve budgets, levy taxes, grant franchises, regulate land use, and protect the environment.
- Ensures delivery of basic services and facilities, including disaster response.
Legislative Procedures and Oversight
- Adopts internal rules governing organization, sessions, legislative processes, and member discipline.
- Members must disclose financial and business interests to avoid conflicts of interest.
- Sessions are open to the public, held regularly with provisions for special sessions.
- Ordinances require mayoral approval but may be overridden by the Sanggunian.
- City ordinances are reviewed by the provincial legislature and barangay ordinances by the Sanggunian.
Qualifications and Succession of City Officials
- Sets disqualifications for elective city positions (e.g., criminal convictions, dual citizenship).
- Defines permanent and temporary vacancies and mechanisms for succession or appointment.
- Ranking of Sanggunian members for succession is based on vote proportion.
Appointment, Qualifications, and Functions of City Officials
- Specifies qualifications (residency, education, experience, civil service eligibility) for key appointive officials including:
- Secretary of the Sanggunian
- City Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer
- City Assessor and Assistant Assessor
- City Accountant
- City Budget Officer
- City Planning and Development Coordinator
- City Engineer
- City Health Officer
- City Civil Registrar
- City Administrator
- City Legal Officer
- City Social Welfare and Development Officer
- City Veterinarian
- City General Services Officer
- City Environment and Natural Resources Officer
- City Architect
- City Information Officer
- City Cooperatives Officer
- City Population Officer
- City Agriculturist
- Each official’s duties revolve around specialized service delivery, policy formulation, technical and administrative support,
disaster response, regulatory enforcement, and advisory roles to the Mayor and Sanggunian.
City Fire Station, Jail, School Division, and Prosecution Service
- Establishes a City Fire Station headed by a City Fire Marshal with firefighting and emergency responsibilities.
- Establishes a City Jail maintaining prisoner rights and headed by a qualified warden.
- A City School Division is maintained by the Department of Education, headed by a superintendent.
- The City Prosecution Service is integrated into the Department of Justice, handling criminal prosecutions within the city.
Transitory, Final Provisions, and Effectivity
- Existing municipal ordinances continue unless amended by city ordinances.
- City corporate existence is confirmed through plebiscite within 60 days after the Act’s approval.
- The City assumes all assets, liabilities, and functions of the former municipality.
- The City remains under Ilocos Sur Province jurisdiction, allowing residents participation in provincial elections.
- No tax rate increases allowed for five years from corporate existence.
- The law adopts the Local Government Code’s provisions where consistent.
- Invalid provisions do not affect the validity of the rest of the Act.
- The Act becomes effective upon publication in two newspapers.