ORDINANCE NO: 2001-191 AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE LOCAL WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT PROGRAM OFFICE UNDER THE OFFICE OF THE CITY MAYOR, PAGADIAN CITY WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, delegated specific functions and responsibilities to Local Government Units (LGU's) particularly in the protection of the lives and properties of the people in Pagadian City; WHEREAS, the promotion of social justice and protection of life, property and dignity of the citizenry is one of the basic duties and local officials in the City of Pagadian; WHEREAS, local authorities in the City of Pagadian are now facing a problem in solving the recent sensational killings because of fear of reprisal and economic dislocation to the witness/witnesses; WHEREAS, there is a necessity for the Local Government Unit to establish a local witness protection program to protect witness/witnesses, and grant them certain rights and benefits to ensure their appearance in investigative bodies/courts, as well as to ensure the expeditious and judicious adjudication of cases; NOW THEREFORE, be it enacted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod in session assembled, that SECTION 1. CREATION AND PURPOSE. There is hereby created and established in the City of Pagadian an office under the Office of the City Mayor to be officially known as the Local Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Program Office (LWPSBPO) for the primary purpose of effectively and efficiently overseeing and carrying out the witness protection program to be undertaken by the City Government in collaboration with the similar program of the National Government. SECTION 2. FUNCTION OF THE LOCAL WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM OFFICE. The Local Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Office shall have the following functions: 2.1 To help implement Republic Act No. 6981 in the locality; To provide the witness/witnesses necessary protection before he/she can avail the protection, security and benefit that Republic Act No. 6981 provides; To design and produce information, education and communication materials such as pamphlets, posters and handouts, among others, for the awareness of the public; To establish pertinent rules and regulations necessary for the efficient operation of the office and other related activities. SECTION 3. COMPOSITION. The LWPSBPO shall be composed of the following members to be appointed by the City Mayor and whose terms and office shall be co-terminus with the term of the appointing authority, unless otherwise terminated by the latter earlier. 3.1 Chairman - City Mayor 3.2 Vice Chairman - City Prosecutor 3.3 Members - Chairman of the Committee on Laws, Rules and Policy Formulation, Sangguniang Panlungsod Chairman of the Committee on Police, Fire and Public Safety, Sangguniang Panlungsod Chief of Police, Pagadian City NBI Director or his duly authorized representative a Non-Government Organization representative 3.4 Coordinator - City Administrator 3.5 Secretariat - Staff of the City Prosecutor's Office City Administrator's Office SECTION 4. REMUNERATION/COMPENSATION. The Chairman and the Members of the LWPSBPO shall render voluntary service. As such, they shall not be entitled to honorarium or any form of remuneration and compensation excerpt, however, when they are authorized to travel outside the City, where such travel shall be chargeable against the appropriations of the office; Provided, it should be connected and related to the purpose and intent of the LWPSBPO. SECTION 5. APPROPRIATIONS. For purposes of this Ordinance, there shall be provided a continuing appropriation of One Million (P1,000,000.00) Pesos per annum for the operating expenses and maintenance costs of the LWPSBPO. SECTION 6. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. Any provision of this Ordinance that maybe declared by a competent court as invalid or unconstitutional not adversely affect other provisions. SECTION 7. EFFECTIVITY. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its approval. ENACTED AND APPROVED by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (6th City Council) of Pagadian City on its 129th Regular Session held on February 14, 2001 at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall.