Charter converting Mati into a component city

Conversion to a component city

The Municipality of Mati is converted into a component city known as the City of Mati under Section 2.
The City’s territorial jurisdiction is within the present metes and bounds of the Municipality of Mati under Section 2.
Boundary disputes involving territorial jurisdiction between the City and adjoining local government units are preserved for resolution by the appropriate agency or forum under Section 2.
For disputed areas, territorial jurisdiction remains with the local government unit that has existing administrative supervision until final resolution under Section 2.

Corporate powers & welfare mandate

The City is a political body corporate with perpetual succession and municipal corporate powers exercisable in conformity with the Charter and other laws under Section 3.
The City may have and use a corporate seal, sue and be sued, acquire and convey property, enter into contracts, and exercise other corporate powers granted by law under Section 3.
The City may alter its common seal at pleasure under Section 4.
The City exercises broad local government governance powers including the power to levy taxes, and to close and open roads, streets, alleys, parks or squares consistent with the Constitution and existing laws under Section 4.
The City is empowered to expropriate or condemn private property for public use and to prosecute/defend suits involving the City under Section 4.
The City must exercise powers expressly granted, necessarily implied, and powers necessary, appropriate or incidental for efficient and effective governance and promotion of general welfare under Section 5.
Within its territorial jurisdiction, the City shall ensure and support key governance goals including culture, health and safety, balanced ecology, scientific and technological capability, public morals, economic prosperity and social justice, full employment, peace and order, and comfort and convenience of inhabitants under Section 5.

Liability for damages

The City of Mati is liable for injuries or damages to persons or property arising from the act or omission of any of its officers or employees while in performance of official functions, unless otherwise provided by law under Section 6.

City jurisdiction for police & water purity

For police purposes, the City’s police jurisdiction is coextensive with its territorial jurisdiction under Section 7.
For protecting and ensuring the purity of the City’s water supply, police jurisdiction extends over:
- all territory within the drainage area of the water supply; or
- within one hundred meters (100 m.) of any reservoir, conduit, canal, aqueduct or pumping station used in connection with city water service under Section 7.
Regional trial courts and City courts of the City of Mati have concurrent jurisdiction with regional trial courts and metropolitan trial courts or city or municipal courts of adjoining municipalities/cities to try crimes and misdemeanors committed within the drainage area or within the one hundred meters (100 m.) spaces under Section 7.
The court first taking cognizance of an offense has jurisdiction to try the case to the exclusion of others under Section 7.
Police forces of several concerned municipalities and cities have concurrent jurisdiction with City police forces for maintenance of good order and enforcement of ordinances in the described zone/area under Section 7.
Any license issued within the described zone/area must be granted by the proper authorities of the city or municipality concerned, and the fees accrue to that local treasury, not to the City under Section 7.

City officials and required offices

The City has these elected/appointive officials and positions: city mayor, city vice mayor, sangguniang panlungsod members, secretary to the sangguniang panlungsod, city treasurer and assistant, city assessor and assistant, city accountant, city budget officer, city planning and development officer, city engineer, city health officer, city civil registrar, city administrator, city legal officer, city social welfare and development officer, city veterinarian, city general services officer, and city agriculturist under Section 8.
The city mayor may appoint additional officers including: city environment and natural resources officer, city architect, city information officer, city cooperatives officer, and city population officer under Section 8.
The City must establish a city fire station headed by a city fire marshal, a city jail headed by a city jail warden, a city schools division headed by a schools division superintendent, and a city prosecution service headed by a city prosecutor under Section 8.
The sangguniang panlungsod may maintain existing offices not mentioned in the subsections listed in Section 8, create necessary other offices, or consolidate functions of offices for efficiency and economy under Section 8.
Appointive city officials are appointed by the city mayor with the concurrence of the majority of all sangguniang panlungsod members, subject to civil service rules under Section 8.
The sangguniang panlungsod must act on appointments within fifteen (15) days; failure to act results in the appointment being deemed confirmed under Section 8.

City mayor powers, duties, and compensation

The city mayor is the chief executive of the City and is elected at large by qualified voters of the City under Section 9.
A mayoral candidate must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age, a resident of the City for at least one year prior to election, and a qualified voter under Section 9.
The city mayor holds office for three years, unless sooner removed under Section 9.
The city mayor receives a minimum monthly compensation corresponding to Salary Grade Thirty (30) under Republic Act No. 6758 and its implementing guidelines, plus other compensation allowed by law under Section 9.
The city mayor sets city policy guidelines and is responsible to the sangguniang panlungsod for the program of government under Section 9.
The city mayor directs formulation of the city development plan with assistance of the city development council, and upon sangguniang panlungsod approval, implements it under Section 9.
The city mayor presents the program of government and proposes policies and projects for sangguniang panlungsod consideration at the opening of the regular session every calendar year and as needed for general welfare and needs of city government under Section 9.
The city mayor initiates and proposes legislative measures and provides needed information/data for sangguniang panlungsod legislative functions under Section 9.
The city mayor appoints officials and employees whose salaries and wages are wholly or mainly paid from city funds and whose appointments are not otherwise provided in Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991), and appoints those he is authorized by law to appoint under Section 9.
The city mayor represents the City in business transactions and signs, on its behalf, bonds, contracts, obligations, and other documents upon authority of the sangguniang panlungsod or pursuant to law/ordinance under Section 9.
The city mayor carries out emergency measures during and after man-made and natural disasters or calamities under Section 9.
The city mayor determines the time, manner and place of payment of salaries/wages in accordance with law or ordinance under Section 9.
The city mayor allocates and assigns office space to City officials and employees entitled under law/ordinance under Section 9.
The city mayor ensures faithful discharge by executive officials and employees and causes administrative or judicial proceedings against offenders under Section 9.
The city mayor may examine books, records, and documents of all offices/officials/agents/employees and require national officials and employees stationed/assigned to the City to provide books/records/documents except those classified by law as confidential under Section 9.
The city mayor furnishes copies of executive orders to the provincial governor within seventy-two (72) hours after issuance under Section 9.
The city mayor must visit component barangays at least once every six months for listening, counsel, and inspections to improve governance quality of life under Section 9.
The city mayor acts on leave applications of officials and employees appointed by him and on commutation of monetary leave credits according to law under Section 9.
The city mayor authorizes official trips outside the City for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days under Section 9.
The city mayor calls on national officials/employees stationed/assigned to advise and recommend matters affecting the City; the city mayor also coordinates for plan implementation and may initiate actions against offenders among national personnel under Section 9.
The city mayor authorizes payments for medical care, transportation, subsistence, hospital or medical fees for city officials/employees injured in performance of official duties, subject to availability of funds under Section 9.
The city mayor solemnizes marriages despite any contrary provision of law under Section 9.
The city mayor must conduct an annual palarong panlungsod featuring traditional sports and disciplines included in national and international games, in coordination with Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine Sports Commission, and related agencies under Section 9.
The city mayor submits to the provincial governor an annual report summarizing matters pertinent to management, administration, development, and political/social/economic condition, and submits supplemental reports when unexpected events arise, particularly when disasters or calamities affect the general welfare of the City under Section 9.
The city mayor enforces laws and ordinances relative to city governance and implements approved policies/programs/projects/services/activities under Section 9.
The city mayor ensures component barangay acts and officials/employees stay within their powers and performs other enforcement and administration measures under Section 9.
The city mayor issues executive orders for faithful and appropriate enforcement/execution of laws and ordinances under Section 9.
The city mayor may carry necessary firearms within territorial jurisdiction only after procurement of required permit/license from duly constituted authorities under Section 9.
The city mayor acts as deputized representative of the National Police Commission, formulates the City’s peace and order plan, upon approval implements it, and exercises general and operational control/supervision over local police forces in accordance with Republic Act No. 6975 (Philippine National Police Law) under Section 9.
The city mayor calls law enforcement agencies to suppress disorder, riot, lawless violence, rebellion or sedition, or apprehend violators when public interest requires and City police are inadequate under Section 9.
The city mayor must initiate and maximize generation of resources and revenues and apply them to development plans and priorities, especially resources and revenues for agro-industrial development and basic services under Section 9.
The city mayor requires each head of office to prepare and submit an estimate of appropriations for the ensuing calendar year under the budget preparation process and Local Government Code of 1991 and other relevant laws under Section 9.
The city mayor prepares and submits to the sanggunian for approval the executive and supplemental budgets for the ensuing calendar year in the manner under Local Government Code of 1991 under Section 9.
The city mayor ensures collection of taxes and revenues and application of city funds to expenses and settlement of obligations in accordance with law or ordinance under Section 9.
The city mayor issues licenses and permits and suspends or revokes them for violation of conditions for issuance under Section 9.
The city mayor issues permits (without national approval) for activities for charitable or welfare purposes excluding prohibited games of chance or shows contrary to law/public policy/public morals under Section 9.
The city mayor requires owners of illegally constructed houses/buildings/structures to obtain required permits subject to fines/penalties by law/ordinance, or to make changes, or to order demolition/removal within a period prescribed by law/ordinance under Section 9.
The city mayor adopts measures to safeguard and conserve City land, mineral, forest, marine, and other resources under Section 9.
The city mayor must provide efficient property and supply management and protect City funds/credits/rights/properties under Section 9.
The city mayor institutes or causes institution of administrative or judicial proceedings for ordinance violations in collection of taxes/fees/charges and recovery of funds/property and ensures City defense in suits to protect its interests/resources/rights under Section 9.
For basic services delivery, the city mayor ensures delivery and adequate facilities and coordinates technical services by national/provincial offices under Section 9.
Roads/bridges/highways funded by the national government shall, as far as practicable, be implemented in a spatially contiguous manner coordinated with City and provincial road/bridge projects under Section 9.
The city mayor performs other duties and exercises other powers provided in Local Government Code of 1991, other laws, or ordinance under Section 9.

City vice mayor leadership functions

The city vice mayor is elected in the same manner as the city mayor and must have the same qualifications under Section 10.
The vice mayor holds office for three years, unless sooner removed, under Section 10.
The vice mayor receives a minimum monthly compensation corresponding to Salary Grade Twenty-six (26) under Salary Standardization Law and implementing guidelines under Section 10.
The vice mayor presides over the sangguniang panlungsod as presiding officer and signs warrants drawn on the city treasury for sangguniang panlungsod expenditures under Section 10.
Subject to civil service law/rules/regulations, the vice mayor appoints officials and employees including the secretary of the sangguniang panlungsod except those with appointment modes specifically provided in Local Government Code of 1991 under Section 10.
If permanent vacancy occurs in the office of the city mayor, the vice mayor assumes the mayoral office for the unexpired term as provided in Section 44 of the Local Government Code of 1991 under Section 10.
The vice mayor exercises powers and performs duties of the city mayor during temporary vacancy under Section 10.
The vice mayor performs other duties and exercises other powers provided in Local Government Code of 1991 and other relevant laws or ordinances under Section 10.

Sangguniang panlungsod composition & legislative powers

The sangguniang panlungsod is the legislative body of the City under Section 11.
It is composed of: the city vice mayor as presiding officer; ten (10) regular members; the president of the city chapter of the liga ng mga barangay; the president of the panlungsod na pederasyon ng mga sangguniang kabataan; sectoral representatives; and other members provided by law under Section 11.
The sangguniang panlungsod holds office for three years, unless sooner removed under Section 11.
There are three (3) sectoral representatives: one from women; one from agricultural or industrial workers; and one from other sectors including urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, or disabled persons, to be determined by the sangguniang panlungsod within ninety (90) days prior to local elections under Section 11.
Regular members, sectoral representatives, and other members are elected or appointed as provided by law under Section 11.
Elected sanggunian members have same qualifications as city mayor and vice mayor, except candidates must be at least eighteen (18) years of age on election day under Section 11.
The sangguniang panlungsod members receive a minimum monthly compensation corresponding to Salary Grade Twenty-five (25) under the Salary Standardization Law and implementing guidelines under Section 11.
The sangguniang panlungsod approves ordinances and passes resolutions necessary for an efficient and effective city government under Section 11.
It reviews all sangguniang barangay ordinances and executive orders of the punong barangay to determine if these are within the powers of the barangay and punong barangay under Section 11.
It maintains peace and order by enacting measures to prevent and suppress lawlessness, disorder, riot, violence, rebellion or sedition and imposes penalties for violation under Section 11.
It may approve city ordinances imposing a fine not exceeding Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both, at the discretion of the court, for violation of a city ordinance under Section 11.
It adopts measures for disaster preparedness, relief services, assistance to victims, and return to productive livelihood under Section 11.
It enacts ordinances to prevent/suppress and impose penalties for habitual drunkenness in public places, vagrancy, mendicancy, prostitution, houses of ill-repute, gambling and other prohibited games of chance, fraudulent devices/ways to obtain money/property, drug addiction, drug dens, drug pushing, juvenile delinquency, and obscene/pornographic materials or publications and other activities inimical to welfare/morals under Section 11.
It protects the environment and imposes penalties for endangering environmental acts such as dynamite fishing, destructive fishing, illegal logging, log smuggling, smuggling of natural resource products and endangered species, slash-and-burn farming and activities causing pollution/ecological imbalance; fines are used exclusively for advancement of ecological protection under Section 11.
It determines, consistent with Local Government Code of 1991 and other laws, powers and duties of city officials/employees under Section 11.
It determines positions and salaries/wages/allowances and other emoluments for officials and employees paid wholly or mainly from city funds and provides for expenditures for proper conduct of programs/projects/services/activities under Section 11.
It authorizes payment of compensation to a qualified person not in government service filling temporary vacancy or grants honorarium to a qualified official/employee designated to fill temporary vacancy in a concurrent capacity at the rate authorized by law under Section 11.
It must establish a mechanism and appropriate funds for safety and protection of city government properties and public documents/records including property inventory, land ownership, births/marriages/deaths, assessments/taxation, accounts, business permits, and other records of public interest under Section 11.
It may provide additional allowances and other benefits to judges, prosecutors, public elementary/high school teachers, and other national government officials stationed/assigned in the City when finances allow under Section 11.
It provides legal assistance to barangay officials requiring judicial proceedings or defense against legal actions in performance of official duties or on the occasion thereof under Section 11.
It provides for group insurance or additional insurance coverage for all barangay officials, including members of barangay tanod brigades and other service units, with public or private insurance companies under Section 11.
It must generate and maximize resources/revenues for development plans/priorities with particular attention to agro-industrial development, citywide growth/progress, and basic services under Section 11.
It approves the annual and supplemental budgets and appropriates funds for specific programs/projects/services/activities or other purposes not contrary to law under Section 11.
Upon majority vote of all its members, it enacts ordinances levying taxes/fees/charges and prescribing rates and granting tax exemptions/incentives/reliefs, subject to Book II of Local Government Code of 1991 and applicable laws under Section 11.
Upon majority vote of all its members, it authorizes the city mayor to negotiate and contract loans and other indebtedness forms subject to Book II and applicable laws; the terms are published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City before approval; once approved, the loan contract is furnished to city residents upon request and payment of reasonable fees under Section 11.
Upon majority vote of all its members, it enacts ordinances authorizing floating of bonds or other indebtedness instruments for development projects; authorization is published in a newspaper of general circulation; once approved, the bond instrument contract is furnished to residents upon request and payment of reasonable fees under Section 11.
Upon majority vote, it appropriates funds for construction/maintenance or rental of buildings for City use and may authorize leasing to private parties holding public buildings in proprietary capacity subject to existing laws/rules/regulations under Section 11.
It prescribes reasonable limits and restraints on use of property within City jurisdiction under Section 11.
It adopts a comprehensive land-use plan coordinated with the approved provincial comprehensive land-use plan under Section 11.
It reclassifies lands within City jurisdiction subject to Local Government Code of 1991 under Section 11.
It enacts integrated zoning ordinances consistent with the comprehensive land-use plan subject to existing laws/rules/regulations; establishes fire limits/zones especially in populous centers; and regulates construction/repair/modification within fire limits/zones per the Fire Code under Section 11.
It processes and approves subdivision plans for residential/commercial/industrial and other development purposes subject to national law; collects processing fees and charges accruing entirely to the City; if national agency approval is required, it may not withhold approval for more than thirty (30) days from receipt—failure to act within that period is deemed approval under Section 11.
With subject to the Book II of Local Government Code of 1991, it grants exclusive privilege of constructing fish corrals/pens or catching bangus fry, prawn fry, kawag-kawag fry, or fry of any fish species within City waters under Section 11.
With concurrence of at least two-thirds (2/3) vote of all its members, it grants tax exemptions/incentives/reliefs to entities engaged in community growth-inducing industries subject to Local Government Code of 1991 under Section 11.
It grants loans or provides grants to other local government units or to national/provincial/city charitable, benevolent, or educational institutions operated and maintained within the City under Section 11.
It regulates numbering of buildings and regulates inspection/weighing/measuring of articles of commerce under Section 11.
It enacts ordinances granting franchises and authorizing permits/licenses for purposes intended to promote general welfare under Section 11.
It fixes and imposes reasonable fees/charges for services rendered by city government to private persons/entities under Section 11.
It regulates or fixes license fees for business and professional practice and conditions for revocation under Section 11.
It provides conditions for operation of city-owned public utilities and conditions under which they may be leased to private persons/entities, preferably cooperatives under Section 11.
It regulates display of signs and fixes license fees for signboards/billboards where the advertised business/profession is conducted under Section 11.
It authorizes and licenses cockpit establishment and regulates cockfights and commercial gamecock breeding; existing rights are not prejudiced under Section 11.
Subject to guidelines of DOTC, it regulates tricycles and grants franchises for operation within City jurisdiction under Section 11.
Upon approval by majority vote, it grants franchises to persons/partnerships/corporations/cooperatives to do business within City and may establish/construct/operate/maintain ferries, wharves, markets or slaughterhouses or undertake other activities allowed by existing laws, with preference to cooperatives under Section 11.
It regulates land/building use for general welfare by declaring, preventing, or abating nuisances; may deny entry of legalized gambling by ordinance into any part of the City or regulate its location with concurrence of majority of members constituting a quorum under Section 11.
It requires buildings/premises and lands kept in sanitary condition, imposes penalties for violations, and may have corrective work done at owner/administrator/tenant expense upon failure to comply; it requires filling up land/premises to a grade necessary for sanitation under Section 11.
It regulates disposal of clinical and other wastes from hospitals/clinics and similar establishments under Section 11.
It regulates establishment/operation/maintenance of cafes/restaurants/beerhouses/hotels/motels/inns/pension houses/lodging houses and similar establishments and regulates tourist guides/transports under Section 11.
It regulates sale/giving away/dispensing of intoxicating malt, vino, mixed or fermented liquors at retail outlets under Section 11.
It regulates establishment/operation/maintenance of steam boilers or heating devices and storage of inflammable/highly combustible materials under Section 11.
It regulates entertainment/amusement facilities and may require suspension/suppression or prohibit certain forms of amusement to protect social/moral welfare under Section 11.
It regulates impounding of stray animals, animal keeping in homes or as business, and slaughter/sale/disposition of animals; and it adopts measures to prevent and penalize cruelty to animals subject to existing laws under Section 11.
It regulates establishment/operation/maintenance of funeral parlors and burial/cremation subject to existing laws/rules/regulations under Section 11.
It approves ordinances ensuring efficient delivery of basic services and facilities, including communal forests/watersheds/tree parks/greenbelts/mangroves and similar projects; establishment/maintenance/protection and markets/slaughterhouses/animal corrals; regulating construction/operation of private markets/talipapas or similar buildings/structures under Section 11.
It authorizes city government establishment/maintenance/operation of ferries/wharves and other structures intended to accelerate marine/offshore productivity under Section 11.
It regulates preparation and sale of fish, meat, poultry, vegetables, fruits, fresh dairy products and other foodstuffs for public consumption under Section 11.
It regulates use of streets/avenues/alley/sidewalks/bridges/parks and other public places and approves construction/improvement/repair/maintenance; establishes bus/vehicle stops/terminals or regulates their use by privately owned vehicles serving the public; regulates garages and conveyances for hire; designates public vehicle stands; regulates signs/awning posts; and provides for lighting/cleaning/sprinkling of streets/public places under Section 11.
It regulates traffic on streets and bridges, prohibits encroachments/obstacles, and authorizes removal of encroachments/illegal constructions in public places when necessary for public welfare under Section 11.
It provides, subject to availability of funds and existing laws, for waterworks system establishment/maintenance/operation, including purifying sources;