Capital Towns and Seat of Government
- Gumaca is designated as the capital and seat of government for Quezon del Sur.
- Lucena City remains the capital and seat for Quezon del Norte.
Corporate and General Powers of the Province
- Quezon del Sur is recognized as a political body corporate with perpetual succession.
- Has powers to sue and be sued, hold property, enter contracts, and exercise other powers under the law.
- Authority to levy taxes, manage public properties, and expropriate for public use.
- Not exempt from liability for death or injury caused.
Legislative Districts
- Quezon del Sur is divided into two legislative districts, defining the included municipalities for each.
- Quezon del Norte retains the original legislative districts.
Jurisdiction for Police and Courts
- Police jurisdiction covers entire provincial territory and protection of water supply sources.
- Adjoining municipal courts retain jurisdiction over crimes committed in the province.
- Licensing within the province governed by local authorities.
Provincial Officials and Government Structure
- Comprehensive list of provincial officials, including governor, vice governor, and various officers in key departments.
- Provincial governor holds extensive executive powers as outlined in the Local Government Code.
- Details on appointment procedures and official residence requirements.
Powers, Duties, and Functions of the Provincial Governor
- General supervision over provincial programs and projects.
- Authority to appoint officials, execute contracts, and implement emergency measures.
- Performs budgetary functions, policy guidance, and ensures enforcement of laws.
- Powers to call meetings, coordinate public safety, and represent the province.
Role and Powers of the Provincial Vice Governor
- Presides over the legislative body and manages appointments within the sangguniang panlalawigan.
- Assumes governor’s office in case of vacancy or temporary incapacity.
Sanggunian Panlalawigan (Legislative Body) Composition
- Includes the vice governor, regular members, presidents of barangay, youth councils, and sectoral representatives.
- Representatives from women, labor, and marginalized sectors included.
Legislative Functions and Powers
- Enact ordinances and resolutions for provincial welfare.
- Taxation powers including levying fees and granting incentives.
- Environmental protection measures and enforcement of laws about public morals and order.
- Control over land use, public utilities, markets, and local businesses.
- Authority to regulate public health, safety, transportation, and social welfare services.
- Mandated to promote cultural, educational, and veteran programs.
Legislative Procedures
- Rules of procedure to be adopted within 90 days after members assume office.
- Committees created for various governance matters.
- Rules cover discipline, parliamentary and legislative processes.
Disclosure and Conflict of Interest
- Mandatory disclosure of financial and business interests by sanggunian members.
- Provisions to prevent conflicts of interest during legislative deliberations.
Sessions, Quorum, and Ordinance Approval
- Regular sessions at least once a week; special sessions may be called.
- Quorum requires majority of elected and qualified members; enforcement mechanisms for absenteeism provided.
- Governor has veto powers over ordinances, including item veto on budgetary ordinances.
- Ordinances vetoed may be overridden by two-thirds of the sanggunian members.
Qualification and Succession of Elective Provincial Officials
- Disqualifications include criminal convictions, removal from office, dual citizenship, mental incapacity, and others.
- Succession protocols for governor, vice governor, and sanggunian members clearly defined.
- Tie-breaking by drawing lots and provision for temporary assumption of duties.
Appointment, Qualifications, Powers, and Duties of Key Provincial Officials
- Extensive qualifications, term conditions, and duties defined for:
- Secretary to the sangguniang panlalawigan
- Provincial treasurer and assessor
- Provincial accountant, engineer, budget officer
- Planning and development, legal officer, administrator
- Health officer, civil registrar, social welfare and development officer
- General services, agriculturist, veterinarian
- Environment and natural resources officer
- Cooperatives officer, architect, population officer (optional)
- Information officer (optional)
- These officials are responsible for service delivery, policy formulation, technical assistance, legal counsel, and management in their respective areas.
Provincial Fire Station, Jail Service, Schools Division, and Prosecution
- Establishment of at least five fire stations with qualified personnel and equipment.
- Maintenance of secure and humane provincial jail facilities.
- Creation of a separate provincial schools division under the DepEd.
- Establishment of a provincial prosecution service under DOJ with qualified prosecutors.
Plebiscite and Implementation
- Creation of Quezon del Sur subject to approval by majority vote in a plebiscite supervised by COMELEC.
- An ad hoc committee composed of incumbent officials to manage transition and implementation.
- Commencement of corporate existence upon election and qualification of new officials.
Initial Organizational Setup
- Appointment of interim officials by the President until elected officials assume office.
- Mandatory filling of appointive positions within 60 days of corporate existence.
Fiscal Provisions
- No increase in local tax rates, including real property tax, for five years following the province’s creation.
- Equitable division of assets, funds, obligations, and properties between the two provinces.
- Tax revenues of enterprises extending across both provinces are proportionally divided without double taxation.
General Legal Applicability
- The Local Government Code and applicable laws govern both Quezon del Norte and Quezon del Sur, except where inconsistent with this Act.
Separability and Effectivity
- If any provision is declared invalid, the remainder stays effective.
- The Act takes effect fifteen days after publication in two newspapers of general circulation.