Territory Definition and Governance
- The District Engineer shall survey and define the city’s territory within three months.
- The defined boundaries are confirmed by the President through an executive order.
- The Provincial Board can purchase, accept donations of, or expropriate lands for the city's public use.
Liability and Police Jurisdiction
- The city is not liable for damages arising from failure or negligence in law enforcement by city officials or employees.
- Police jurisdiction covers the city limits and extends to the water supply drainage area and surrounding buffer zones.
- The City Court shares jurisdiction for offenses within this extended area.
- Fines and fees from offenses in these areas accrue to the municipality where the offense occurred.
Composition of City Government and Officers
- Chief city officials include the City Mayor (Provincial Governor ex-officio), Vice-Mayor (Provincial Vice-Governor ex-officio), City Council (partly ex-officio members, partly presidential appointees), and various city department heads.
- Certain provincial officials serve as ex-officio city officers (e.g., city engineer, treasurer, fiscal).
- Secretaries to the City Mayor and City Council are also designated, usually acting as officials from the Provincial Board.
Powers and Duties of the City Mayor
- Oversees executive and administrative functions subject to departmental supervision.
- Enforces laws and city ordinances, safeguards city properties, supervises collection and use of taxes and revenues.
- Institutes judicial proceedings to protect city interests.
- Reviews and inspects city offices and submits budgets to the City Council.
- Grants or revokes business licenses, provides exemptions for indigent pupils, and handles emergency measures.
Role of the City Vice-Mayor and Acting Mayor
- Performs Mayor’s duties during incapacity or vacancy until a new mayor is appointed.
- If Vice-Mayor is incapacitated, functions pass to City Council members with highest votes.
- Vice-Mayor is also a member of the City Council with associated privileges.
Responsibilities of City Secretary and City Council Secretary
- The Mayor’s secretary manages city records, affixes official seals, attests documents, and furnishes certified copies.
- The City Council secretary keeps full records of council proceedings, publishes ordinances, and provides copies of public records.
City Council Procedures and Powers
- The City Mayor presides over the Council sessions, which are generally weekly and open to the public.
- A quorum requires five members; passing ordinances requires five affirmative votes.
- Ordinances become effective ten days after posting unless otherwise stated.
- The President of the Philippines can veto ordinances exceeding council powers.
Legislative Powers of the City Council
- Levy and collect taxes; appropriate city funds with salary cap of 60% of expected revenue.
- Regulate and fix fees, establish and maintain public infrastructure, schools, and police and fire departments.
- Enact regulations on public safety, nuisances, markets, animals, trade, and conduct businesses.
- License various professions and businesses, impose sales/special taxes, regulate public places and utilities.
- Grant fishing privileges and regulate cultural events.
- Fix penalties for ordinance violations not exceeding P200 fine or six months imprisonment.
Restrictions on Commercial Signage
- No commercial signs or billboards allowed on public properties.
- The Mayor may order removal of offensive signs after due notice.
Powers of City Officers
- Heads of city offices supervise their departments under the Mayor.
- They certify the correctness of payrolls/vouchers and submit budget estimates annually.
- Officers may delegate authority during absences or incapacity.
Appointment and Removal of Officials
- The President appoints judges, chief of police, and heads of offices with Commission on Appointments’ consent.
- These officials may only be removed for cause; the Mayor can suspend them under legal grounds.
- Other city employees are appointed by the Mayor per civil service rules.
Prohibition of Conflict of Interest for City Officers
- City officers cannot engage in business transactions with the City that involve payments from public funds.
- They cannot purchase City-owned property or act as sureties for related contracts.
Duties of the City Engineer
- Manages all surveying and engineering work; prepares plans and supervises construction and repairs.
- Oversees public buildings, streets, parks, garbage disposal, waterworks, sewers, and regulatory inspections.
- Has authority to order removal of illegal or dangerous structures.
Execution of Public Works
- Public works costlier than P3,000 must be awarded to the lowest bidder after public notice or executed by administration with President’s approval.
- Works under P3,000 may be handled at the discretion of the city engineer.
Duties of the City Treasurer
- Acts as chief financial officer, collecting taxes, fees, rents, and government funds.
- Deposits funds in government depositories daily and disburses funds as authorized.
- Provides monthly financial reports to the Mayor and City Council.
City Assessor’s Function
- Assesses and values real estate annually based on relevant assessment laws.
- Maintains lists of taxable properties and may conduct inspections and hearings.
Real Estate Tax Exemptions
- Exemptions include government-owned land, religious/charitable/educational properties, properties valued below P200 if sole property, and machinery used for industry/agriculture/manufacturing during first five years.
Role and Duties of the City Fiscal
- Serves as chief legal adviser and represents the City in civil and criminal cases.
- Institutes and prosecutes suits, provides legal opinions, and enforces franchise compliance.
- Manages investigations, prosecutions, and autopsies related to suspicious deaths.
City Health Officer’s Responsibilities
- Supervises public health and sanitation, enforces laws, recommends ordinances, prosecutes sanitary violations.
- Keeps records of births, marriages, and deaths.
- Coordinates with health authorities.
Chief of Police Powers and Duties
- Oversees police and fire forces, issues regulations, maintains law and order.
- Handles arrests, prosecutions, manages the city prison, and enforces public safety during emergencies.
- Supervises fire services, investigates fires, inspects for fire safety.
- Regulates hazardous substances and electrical safety.
Powers of Peace Officers
- Peace officers have authority to serve legal processes, arrest without warrant under certain conditions, and enter premises in pursuit.
- Mayor can appoint special police in emergencies with equivalent powers.
City Court Judges and Clerks
- City court has a judge and auxiliary judge; auxiliary takes over during absences.
- In absence of both, a municipal judge from neighboring areas may be designated temporarily.
- The court clerk manages records, has power to administer oaths, and acts as city sheriff.
Jurisdiction and Procedures of City Court
- City court has jurisdiction similar to other chartered cities in civil and criminal matters.
- Procedures for ordinance violations include summons or arrest warrant on affidavit.
- Appeals may be taken to the Court of First Instance with a trial de novo.
Financial Management and Budgeting
- Annual detailed budget prepared by the City Treasurer and Mayor, submitted to City Council at least 2.5 months before fiscal year.
- Salaries capped at 60% of expected revenues.
- Supplemental budgets allowed under special circumstances.
- Failure to pass budget results in reenactment of previous year’s ordinance.
City Auditor and Register of Deeds
- Provincial auditor and register of deeds serve ex officio with additional compensation.
- Auditor handles city accounts auditing; register manages deeds.
Purchasing and Public Schools Administration
- Purchasing agent procures city supplies excluding real estate.
- Bureau of Public Schools and division superintendent have jurisdiction over city schools.
- Quarterly reports on schools provided to City Mayor.
Capital and Electoral Provisions
- Palayan is the official capital and seat for Nueva Ecija Province.
- For elections, Palayan remains part of the Second Representative District of Nueva Ecija.
Appropriations and Date of Effectivity
- P1,000,000 allocated from National Treasury for city survey, land acquisition, government buildings, and first-year operations.
- Territorial definitions and related provisions effective immediately upon approval.
- Remaining provisions take effect upon City's inauguration as fixed by the President.