Section 25Sec./Art. 25

The Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

A. There shall be a secretary to the sangguniang panlalawigan who shall be a career official, with the rank and salary equal to a head of department or office;

B. No person shall be appointed secretary to the sanggunian unless he is a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the local government unit concerned, of good moral character, a holder of a Master's degree preferably law, commerce or public administration from a recognized college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent.

C. The secretary of the sanggunian shall take charge of the office of the sangguniang panlalawigan, and shall:

1. Attend meetings of the sanggunian and keep a journal of its proceedings;

2. Keep the seal of the local government unit and affix the same with his signature to all ordinances, resolutions, and other officials acts of the sanggunian and present the same to the presiding officer for his signature;

3. Forward to the governor, for approval, copies of ordinances enacted by the sanggunian and duly certified by the presiding officer, in the manner provided for in Section 54 of the Local Government Code of 1991;

4. Forward to the sangguniang bayan or sangguniang panlungsod, as the case may be, copies of duly approved ordinances, in the manner provided in Sections 56 and 57 of the Local Government Code of 1991;

5. Furnish, upon the request of any interested party, certified copies of records of public character in his custody, upon payment to the treasurer of such fees as may be prescribed by ordinance;

6. Record in a book kept for the purpose, all ordinances and resolutions enacted or adopted by the sanggunian, with the dates of passage and publication thereof;

7. Keep his office and all non-confidential records therein open to the public during the usual business hours;

8. Translate into the dialect used by the majority of the inhabitants all ordinances and resolutions immediately after their approval, and cause the publication of the same together with the original version in the manner provided under the Local Government Code of 1991; and

9. Take custody of the local archives and, where applicable, the local library and annually account for the same.

D. Exercise such powers, and perform such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance relative to his position.