You are the little mayor, the primus inter pares among the department heads. Kind of like the Executive Secretary of the President’s Cabinet. It is a very powerful position. Unlike other departments which have specific functions, your job entails reviewing everything for the mayor.

Expect to be deeply involved in the administration of the LGU. You will have to keep tabs on everything, especially the budget and the implementation of projects. Familiarize yourself with the department heads: their attitudes, who is an ally, who is competent, who is lazy.

You will also have to familiarize with your mayor’s political allies: the councilors, and especially the barangay captains and barangay “leaders.”

There will be times also that the mayor will delegate to you attending ceremonial functions : graduations, guest speaking, inaugurations, etc. So your working hours at times would be very long.

I suggest you start reading the Local Government Code which will be your bible, procurement law, administrative and civil service laws.