Charter of the City of Dasmarinas Conversion Act

City is a political body corporate with perpetual succession.
Powers include suing and being sued, acquiring property, entering contracts, levying taxes, and expropriating private property.
City may establish roads, parks, and public services; exercise police powers within territorial jurisdiction.

City must promote public welfare, culture, health, safety, development, employment, peace, and environmental protection.
Liable for damages caused by officers or employees acting within official functions unless otherwise provided by law.

Police jurisdiction coincides with territorial boundaries and extends over water supply drainage areas and associated territories.
Courts and police forces of adjoining areas share concurrent jurisdiction in specified zones.
Fees from licenses issued in overlapping areas accrue to respective local government units.

Includes elected city mayor, vice mayor, twelve sangguniang panlungsod members, and various appointed department officials and officers.
City mayor appoints officials subject to civil service rules; appointments confirmed by sangguniang panlungsod if unacted upon within 15 days.

Chief executive elected by city voters; must be 21 years old, resident for one year, and qualified voter.
Term of three years; salary per Salary Standardization Law.
Responsibilities: supervisory control over city government, policy formulation, development planning, appointment of officials, contract execution, emergency powers, revenue generation, enforcement of laws, representation in legal matters, and peace and order management.

Elected same as mayor; must meet same qualifications.
Presides over sangguniang panlungsod, appoints officials (except as provided by law), and assumes mayor's office temporarily or permanently as needed.

Composed of vice mayor as presiding officer, 12 elected members, presidents of barangay and youth federations.
Responsible for enacting ordinances, adopting development plans, regulating businesses and franchises, preserving environment, managing city finances, and providing basic city services.
Powers include taxation, budgeting, loan contracting, zoning, and public welfare regulation.

Sangguniang panlungsod adopts internal rules, elects officers, and creates committees.
Members must disclose financial interests and conflicts of interest prior to deliberations or voting.
Sessions held weekly; special sessions can be called with notice. Quorum is majority of all elected members.
Ordinances presented to mayor for approval or veto; vetoes can be overridden by two-thirds vote.
Ordinances are subject to review by provincial sangguniang; barangay ordinances reviewed by city sangguniang.
Disapproved ordinances enforcement results in suspension or dismissal of officials involved.

Vice mayor assumes mayor’s office in permanent vacancy.
Highest-ranking sangguniang panlungsod members fill vice mayor vacancy.
Other vacancies filled by appointment from the same political party or by mayor recommendation if independent.
Temporary mayoral incapacity powers exercised by vice mayor; limited appointment powers after 30 days.

Includes Secretary to sangguniang, City Treasurer and Assistant, City Assessor and Assistant, City Accountant, City Engineer and Assistant, City Architect, Budget Officer, Planning and Development Officer, Health Officer and Assistant, Civil Registrar and Assistant, City Administrator, Legal Officer, Social Welfare Officer, Veterinarian, General Services Officer, Information Officer, Cooperatives Officer, Population Officer, Agriculturist, Environment Officer, Tourism Officer, and Human Resource Development Officer.
Qualifications generally include Philippine citizenship, residency, good moral character, relevant educational background, and civil service eligibility.
Duties cover administration, planning, budgeting, legal services, health and social welfare, agriculture, environmental protection, tourism, and personnel management.
Compensation follows Salary Standardization Law or as determined by law.

Establishment of at least one fire station with adequate personnel and equipment.
Headed by a city fire marshal, responsible for fire prevention, suppression, rescue, and evacuation.

Maintains a secure and equipped jail for prisoners, detainees, and certified violent mentally ill persons.
Ensures human rights, separate detention for juveniles and women.
Headed by a city jail warden with relevant educational background.

Existing municipal ordinances continue until altered by city sangguniang.
Corporate existence begins upon ratification in a plebiscite.
Present municipal officials continue duties until new elections; appointive officials absorbed by city government.
City succeeds municipal assets, liabilities, and obligations.
City voters eligible to participate in provincial elections.
City remains under provincial jurisdiction unless otherwise provided.
No local tax rate increase for five years after cityhood.
City gains own legislative district starting next national election.
Governed by the Local Government Code of 1991 and relevant laws unless inconsistent.
Invalid provisions do not affect remainder of Act.
Boundary disputes resolved by proper agencies without prejudice to territorial jurisdiction.
Supersedes inconsistent laws and regulations.
Effectivity 15 days after publication in two newspapers.