AN ACT CREATING BATANGAS CITY

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 5495 (Batangas City Charter)

Territory and Corporate Character of Batangas City
- Batangas City comprises the territorial jurisdiction of the former Municipality of Batangas. (Sec. 2)
- Batangas City is a political body corporate with perpetual succession and municipal powers. (Sec. 3)
- The city has a seal, can acquire property, sue and be sued, and exercise powers conferred by the charter. (Sec. 4)

The Mayor
- The Mayor is the chief executive, elected for 4 years, at least 25 years old, and a city resident for 5 years. (Sec. 7)
- The Mayor has executive and administrative control over city departments. (Sec. 9)
- The Mayor's powers and duties are enumerated in detail. (Sec. 9)

The Vice-Mayor and Municipal Board
- The Vice-Mayor presides over the Municipal Board and acts as Mayor in case of vacancy or incapacity. (Sec. 8)
- The Municipal Board is the legislative body, composed of the Vice-Mayor and 8 elected councilors. (Sec. 11)
- Qualifications, election, suspension, and removal of Board members are specified. (Sec. 12)
- The Board has legislative powers enumerated in detail, including taxation and regulation. (Sec. 15)

City Departments and Officers
- The city has departments for Finance, Engineering and Public Works, Law, Health, Police, Fire, and Assessment. (Sec. 17)
- Appointment, removal, duties, and compensation of department heads and other officials are specified. (Sec. 19-21)

Relation to National Government Bureaus
- The Auditor General audits city accounts, and a city auditor is appointed. (Sec. 22)
- The Director of Public Schools has jurisdiction over city schools, and a city superintendent is appointed. (Sec. 23)

Department of Finance
- The City Treasurer collects taxes, licenses, fees, and manages city funds and property. (Sec. 25)
- The Assistant City Treasurer assists the Treasurer and can administer oaths. (Sec. 26)

Department of Engineering and Public Works
- The City Engineer oversees public works, buildings, streets, parks, water and sewer systems. (Sec. 27)
- Procedures for executing public works and improvements are specified. (Sec. 28)

Law Department
- The City Fiscal is the chief legal adviser and prosecutor, assisted by an Assistant City Fiscal. (Sec. 29)
- Their powers, duties, and compensation are enumerated. (Sec. 29-30)

Health Department
- The City Health Officer oversees public health and sanitation, with an Assistant City Health Officer. (Sec. 31)
- Their powers and duties are enumerated, including civil registry. (Sec. 31)

Police Department
- The Chief of Police heads the police force and has powers enumerated, including maintaining order. (Sec. 32)
- The Deputy Chief of Police and Chief of Secret Service assist the Chief of Police. (Sec. 33-34)
- Peace officers' powers, including arrest and pursuit, are specified. (Sec. 35)

Fire Department
- The Chief of Fire Department manages the fire force and has powers enumerated. (Sec. 36)
- The Deputy Chief of Fire Department acts in the absence of the Chief. (Sec. 37)

Department of Assessment
- The City Assessor assesses real estate for taxation purposes, following procedures specified. (Sec. 38-49)
- Real estate tax rates, payment, penalties, seizure, sale, and redemption are regulated in detail. (Sec. 50-66)

Tax Allotments and Special Assessments
- The city shares in internal revenue and other taxes allotted to provinces and municipalities. (Sec. 67)
- The city can levy special assessments for public improvements, with procedures specified. (Sec. 68-80)

City Budget and Appropriations
- The Mayor submits an annual budget, and procedures for appropriations are specified. (Sec. 81-83)

City Court
- A City Court with judges, clerk, and employees is established, with jurisdiction specified. (Sec. 84-91)

Regulation of Amusements and Liquor
- The Municipal Board regulates amusement places and liquor sales within the city. (Sec. 92)

Final and Transitory Provisions
- Provisions for transition from municipality to city government are specified. (Sec. 93-101)