Charter Creating the City of Dagupan

The city shall have a common seal, modifiable at will.
Powers include owning, leasing, and disposing of property, contracting, suing, condemning property for public use, and exercising all granted powers.

The city is not liable for damages caused by failure or negligence of the Municipal Board, Mayor, or officers in enforcing city laws or ordinances.

Police jurisdiction covers the city territory plus three miles into Lingayen Gulf.
Jurisdiction extends over drainage areas and within 100 meters of water reservoirs and related facilities.

Appointed by the President with the Commission on Appointments' consent; serves at the President’s pleasure.
Salary capped at 4,000 pesos annually plus a non-commutable allowance up to 2,000 pesos with Interior Secretary approval.
Acts as chief executive, overseeing city departments, enforcing laws, safeguarding property, ensuring revenue collection, defending city interests, supervising employees, examining city records, representing the city, submitting budgets, handling petitions, managing permits, exempting poor pupils from fees, and emergency management.

Acting Mayor duties performed by City Treasurer or City Engineer in Mayor's absence; powers equivalent to those of the Mayor.
Mayor appoints a secretary who manages records, documents, the city seal, attests official acts, furnishes certified copies, and receives compensation.

Legislative body composed of the Mayor (presiding officer) and eight popularly elected councilors.
Temporary substitutes appointed by the President if necessary.
Councilors must be qualified electors resident for at least one year and 23 years or older.
Members receive 10 pesos per attendance day.

Weekly sessions; quorum of five members required.
Ordinances require five affirmative votes; votes are recorded.
Ordinances posted publicly and take effect after ten days unless vetoed by the Mayor.
Mayor’s veto can be overridden by six members; vetoes subject to Secretary of Interior review.

Levy and collect taxes, make appropriations, fix number and salary of officials, authorize free medication and food under supervision, fix service fees, maintain city buildings, establish and maintain schools, maintain police and fire forces, regulate public order and safety, impose various business licenses and fees, regulate public health and sanitation, control use of public spaces and property, enforce health regulations, and more.
Penalties for ordinance violations capped at 200 pesos fine, six months imprisonment, or both.

Finance, Engineering, Law, Police, and Fire departments established.
Mayor supervises departments; Board may adjust duties and consolidate departments with Presidential approval.
Department heads control operations, certify payrolls, submit annual budgets and reports, and have acting officers during absences.
President appoints certain key officials with board consent; Mayor appoints others.
City officers prohibited from engaging in business transactions benefiting from city contracts.

Treasurer is chief fiscal officer with duties including tax collection, receipt issuance, deposit and disbursement of funds, and reporting.
Salary capped at 3,600 pesos annually.

City Engineer oversees surveying, public works, municipal buildings, streets, waterworks, sanitation, construction permits, and enforcement of safety regulations.
Contracts over 3,000 pesos awarded to lowest bidder; under 3,000 pesos at engineer's discretion.
Salary capped at 3,000 pesos annually.

Chief legal adviser who represents city in civil suits, prosecutes violations, drafts ordinances, investigates compliance with franchises, conducts investigations including autopsies, and provides legal opinions.
Salary capped at 3,000 pesos annually.

Chief of Police commands police, with authority over law enforcement, arrests, supervision within jurisdiction, and operations of city prison.
Peace officers empowered to serve and execute court processes, arrest without warrant in certain cases, and maintain order.
Special police can be sworn in by Mayor during emergencies.

Chief of Fire Department manages fire apparatus, issues safety regulations, investigates fires, and supervises fire prevention measures.
Salary capped at 1,800 pesos annually.

Assessor responsible for listing taxable real estate, valuing property, administering oaths, and correcting assessments.
Salary capped at 2,400 pesos annually.
Tax exemptions include government property, religious and charitable buildings, modest property under specified value, and machinery used in production for initial years.
Procedures for declaration, inspection, listing, appeals, and corrections detailed.

Annual real estate tax not exceeding 2% ad valorem.
Payment either lump sum or two installments; penalties apply after delinquency.
Extensions or remissions possible under certain circumstances upon Municipal Board and Department Head approval.
Seizure and sale procedures for delinquent taxes including exemptions, redemption rights, notices, ejectment of occupants, and title conveyance.

Municipal Board may levy special assessments for public works benefiting certain districts, up to sixty percent of costs.
Procedures for ordinance publication, protest, hearing, appeal, and payment set forth.
Special assessments collected like ordinary taxes with similar enforcement and lien provisions.

Treasurer prepares detailed current and projected revenue and expenditure reports.
Mayor submits budget to Municipal Board at least 2.5 months before fiscal year.
Supplemental budgets allowed; extensions of prior appropriations if no new budget enacted.

Municipal court with regular and auxiliary judges appointed; judge’s salary capped at 3,600 pesos.
Court clerk appointed by Mayor; also serves as sheriff.
Jurisdiction includes defined criminal and civil cases; powers include process issuance, contempt sanctions, and bond acceptance.
Appeals lie to Court of First Instance within prescribed periods.

City Auditor appointed to audit accounts.
Purchasing Agent oversees city supply procurement.
Bureau of Education powers vested in Director and local school board.
City Health Officer supervises public health, enforces ordinances, prosecutes violations, maintains civil registers, and performs health administration duties.

City government organization dates fixed by the President.
Initial Municipal Board members appointed by the President until elections.
City remains part of original provincial representative district until law provides otherwise.
Act became effective upon approval on June 20, 1947.