Charter Conversion of Tanauan, Batangas City

The City is a political body corporate with perpetual succession.
It possesses powers to sue and be sued, enter contracts, acquire and dispose property, use a corporate seal, and exercise other powers granted by law.
It may exercise municipal powers such as levying taxes, managing public roads and properties, and expropriation for public use.
City officials and the City itself are liable for damages relating to death, injury, or property damage.
Police jurisdiction extends to the City’s territory and the water supply drainage area, including a 100-meter buffer around reservoirs and water works.
Courts in the City share jurisdiction over crimes in the water supply area, with exclusive jurisdiction by the court first taking cognizance.

The City government includes elective and appointive officials such as the Mayor, Vice Mayor, Sangguniang Panlungsod members, and various department heads overseeing finance, health, development, engineering, social welfare, legal affairs, environment, cooperatives, and others.
The Mayor appoints officials with the Sangguniang Panlungsod concurrence, subject to civil service rules.
The City Fire Station, Jail, School Division, and Prosecution Service are established, headed by designated officials.
The City may create or consolidate offices for efficient governance.

Elected at large, must be at least 21 years old, a resident for one year, and a qualified voter.
Term is three years, with compensation per law.
Acts as chief executive and representative of the City.
Responsibilities include policy formulation, development planning, legislative initiatives, appointments, emergency measures, fiscal management, law enforcement coordination, representation in transactions, and public welfare promotion.
Authority to issue licenses, permits, suspensions, and revocations under applicable laws.
Conducts annual City sporting events and reports to the provincial governor on City affairs.
Ensures enforcement of laws, delivery of services, and effective use of revenues.

Elected alongside the Mayor with similar qualifications and a three-year term.
Serves as presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Appoints sanggunian officials and employees, except those appointed by the Mayor and under specific laws.
Assumes Mayor’s office in case of permanent vacancy or temporarily during incapacity.
Performs other duties as mandated by law.

Comprises the Vice Mayor (presiding officer), ten elected members, presidents of the barangay and youth federations, and three sectoral representatives (women, workers, and other sectors).
Legislates ordinances and resolutions necessary for City governance.
Reviews barangay ordinances, enforces penalties, and protects community welfare and environment.
Approves budget, levies taxes, authorizes loans and bonds, grants franchises, and regulates commercial activities.
Regulates land use, zoning, public health and safety, business licenses, and public utilities.
Ensures delivery of basic services and establishes cultural, educational, and social programs.

Adopts rules of procedure, organizes committees, and regulates conduct and discipline of members.
Members disclose financial and business interests to avoid conflicts.
Regular sessions are held weekly; special sessions are called as needed with public access except for security or morality reasons.
Quorum is a majority; attendance enforcement includes arrest powers.

Ordinances are submitted to the Mayor for approval or veto within 10 days.
Mayor may veto ordinances or parts thereof on legal or public welfare grounds.
Sangguniang Panlungsod can override veto by two-thirds vote.
Approved ordinances are reviewed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan within 30 days and by the Sangguniang Panlungsod for barangay ordinances.
Enforcement of disapproved ordinances leads to penalties against responsible officials.
Ordinances take effect 10 days after posting and publication.

Disqualifications include convictions for crimes involving moral turpitude, removal from office, dual citizenship, fugitive status, permanent residency abroad, and mental incapacity.
Permanent vacancies in Mayor or Vice Mayor positions are filled by the next in line per ranking by votes; other vacancies filled by appointments by the provincial governor or City Mayor as appropriate.
Temporary incapacity of Mayor allows Vice Mayor to assume duties, with restrictions on appointment powers unless the incapacity exceeds 30 working days.

Key officials include Secretary of Sangguniang Panlungsod, City Treasurer and Assistant, City Assessor and Assistant, City Accountant, City Budget Officer, City Planning and Development Coordinator, City Engineer, City Health Officer, Civil Registrar, City Administrator, City Legal Officer, Social Welfare Officer, City Veterinarian, City General Services Officer, Environment and Natural Resources Officer, City Architect, Information Officer, Cooperatives Officer, Population Officer, and Agriculturist.
Qualifications generally require Philippine citizenship, residency, good moral character, relevant educational degrees, civil service eligibility, and specified years of experience.
Duties range from administrative, fiscal management, assessment, planning, law enforcement, health, public works, social services, legal representation, environmental preservation, public information, agricultural development, and cooperative assistance.
Officers are responsible for planning, strategizing, implementing programs, advising the Mayor and Sangguniang Panlungsod, and ensuring delivery of basic services.

Establishes a fire station headed by a qualified Fire Marshal with firefighting and emergency responsibilities.
Maintains a secured, sanitary City Jail overseen by a warden qualified in social or criminology sciences, ensuring prisoners’ human rights.
The Department of Education establishes a City school division managed by a qualified Division Superintendent.
Prosecution Service headed by a City Prosecutor under the Department of Justice supervises criminal prosecutions in the City courts.

Existing municipal ordinances remain effective until replaced by City ordinances.
City existence formalized by plebiscite among qualified voters.
Current municipal officials continue in office until new elections and qualification.
The City succeeds to all assets, liabilities, and obligations of the Municipality.
City voters participate in provincial-level elections; the City remains under Batangas jurisdiction.
Local tax rate increases prohibited for five years from City creation.
The City remains part of Batangas's Third Congressional District until law provides otherwise.
The Local Government Code and applicable laws govern the City unless inconsistent with this Act.
Invalid provisions do not affect the enforceability of the remainder of the Act.
Boundary disputes and territorial jurisdiction cases may be decided post-effectivity.
Laws inconsistent with this Act are repealed or amended.
The Act takes effect upon publication in two newspapers.