Besides the power and faculties vested on the Secretary of this chapter and those conferred by other laws he shall also have all the powers, faculties, functions and prerogatives inherent to the office, among which, without it being construed as a limitation, the following are hereby enumerated:
(a) Make recommendations to the Governor and to the Legislature for the formulation of a public policy on social services and to implement the action to be finally adopted.
(b) Plan, direct and supervise the operation of the Department and its programs.
(c) Appoint, in accordance with applicable laws, all the personnel of the Department. The personnel appointed as hereinbefore provided shall be included within the Competitive Service.
(d) Prescribe, repeal and amend norms and regulations for the operation of the Department and its programs.
(e) Prepare and administrate the budget of the Department.
(f) Appoint a Subsecretary of the Family, who under his direction will help him in his functions. In case of absence or temporary disability of the Secretary, the Subsecretary of the Family shall substitute for him and shall exercise all attributions of the Secretary as acting Secretary of the Family during said absence or disability.
In case of death, resignation or dismissal of the Secretary, the Subsecretary of the Family shall exercise all functions of the latter as acting Secretary of the Family, for the duration of the vacancy.
History —June 30, 1968, No. 171, p. 614, § 4, eff. Jan. 1, 1969.