Corporate Powers of the City
- The City is a political corporate body with perpetual succession.
- Powers include suing and being sued, use of a corporate seal, acquisition and conveyance of property, contract-making, and other lawful powers.
General Powers and Duties
- The City may levy taxes, open/close public spaces, hold and dispose of properties, expropriate for public use, contract, and sue or be sued.
- No exemption from liability for damages caused.
- Police jurisdiction matches territorial limits, extending to water supply drainage areas.
- Courts have concurrent jurisdiction over crimes within water supply zones.
City Officials in General
- Includes city mayor, vice mayor, sangguniang panlungsod members, secretary, various department heads, and other key positions.
- Mayor may appoint additional officers and create or consolidate offices.
- Appointment requires majority council concurrence; appointments deemed confirmed if council does not act within 15 days.
Office of the City Mayor
- Chief executive elected at large for a 3-year term, with minimum salary as per law.
- Qualifications: 21 years old, resident for one year, qualified voter.
- Duties include policy-making, development planning, appointment of employees, enforcement of laws, emergency powers, representation in business transactions, supervision of city officials, and resource generation.
- Mayor may carry firearms with proper permits and deputize for police control.
- Responsible for peace and order, disaster response, public welfare, and resource allocation.
Office of the City Vice Mayor
- Elected similarly to mayor; same qualifications; 3-year term.
- Presides over sangguniang panlungsod, appoints officials (excluding those mayor appoints).
- Succeeds mayor in vacancy, performs mayoral duties in temporary absence.
Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council)
- Composed of vice mayor as presiding officer, elected members, presidents of barangay and youth federations, and sectoral representatives.
- Legislative body with powers to enact ordinances, resolutions, maintain peace and order, protect environment, impose penalties, regulate commerce, and deliver basic services.
- Authority to levy taxes, grant franchises, regulate land use, and provide social and public services.
- Powers to approve budgets, grant incentives, impose regulations to ensure welfare.
Legislative Process and Procedures
- Sanggunian adopts internal rules within 90 days after election.
- Members disclose financial and business interests to prevent conflicts.
- Sessions occur once weekly at minimum; special sessions may be called.
- Quorum is majority; enforcement of attendance allowed.
- Ordinances require mayoral approval; mayor may veto including specific items in appropriation budgets.
- Sangguniang Panlalawigan reviews city ordinances and plans for legal consistency.
- Barangay ordinances reviewed by city council; disapproved ordinances suspended.
Disqualifications and Succession for Elective Officials
- Disqualified: Persons convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude, removed from office administratively, dual citizens, fugitives, permanent residents abroad, insane or feeble-minded persons.
- Vacancy succession: Vice mayor becomes mayor; highest ranking sangguniang member next; tie resolved by lot.
- Vacancies in sanggunian filled by appointment from political party or by city mayor for non-partisan members; youth and barangay representatives succeed automatically.
- Temporary vacancy procedures detailed for mayoral incapacity.
Appointive City Officials: Qualifications, Powers, Duties
- Secretary of the sangguniang panlungsod: career official, master’s degree preferred, civil service eligible, keeps records, manages ordinance publication.
- City treasurer and assistant: finance professionals, accountable for funds, tax collection, disbursements.
- City assessor and assistant: manage real property assessments, maintain tax maps, ensure compliance with tax laws.
- City accountant: CPA, maintains accounting and audit systems, prepares financial reports.
- City budget officer: manages budgeting process, coordinates with departments.
- City planning and development coordinator: formulates development plans, supervises implementation.
- City engineer: licensed civil engineer, manages infrastructure projects.
- City health officer: licensed medical practitioner, supervises health services and enforcement of health laws.
- City civil registrar: manages registration of vital records.
- City administrator: manages city operations, personnel, and reforms.
- City legal officer: lawyer, chief legal counsel, prosecution assistance.
- City social welfare and development officer: licensed social worker, handles social programs and emergency relief.
- City veterinarian: licensed vet, regulates animal health and welfare.
- City general services officer: manages supplies, sanitation, property management.
- City environment and natural resources officer: manages conservation, pollution control, and resource utilization.
- City architect: licensed architect, handles city architectural planning and review.
- City information officer: manages public information and media relations.
- City cooperatives officer: promotes cooperative organizations and development.
- City population officer: manages population and responsible parenthood programs.
- City agriculturist: manages agricultural services and programs.
City Fire Station, Jail, School Division, and Prosecution Service
- City fire station established with qualified personnel; headed by a city fire marshal.
- City jail established for safe custody of detainees; managed by a qualified warden.
- City school division managed under the Department of Education; headed by a superintendent.
- City prosecution service organized under the Department of Justice; city prosecutor oversees criminal cases.
Transitory and Final Provisions
- Existing municipal ordinances remain effective until replaced.
- City corporate existence starts upon plebiscite ratification within 60 days.
- Current municipal officials continue until new elections.
- City succeeds assets, liabilities, and obligations of the municipality.
- City voters qualified to participate in provincial elections.
- City remains under provincial jurisdiction.
- No tax rate increases allowed for 5 years post conversion.
- City remains part of the Third Congressional District until otherwise provided.
- Governed by Local Government Code unless inconsistent with this Act.
- Invalid provisions do not affect the rest of the Act.
- Boundary disputes may be resolved by appropriate agencies post effectivity.
- Repeal of inconsistent laws and ordinances.
- Act effective upon publication in two newspapers.
This comprehensive summary covers the key provisions, scope, officials, powers, duties, legislative processes, and final statutes in the Charter of the City of Cauayan as enacted under Philippine law.