ILOILO – The provincial government is encouraging Ilonggos to avail themselves of its real property tax amnesty until the end of the year.
Delinquent taxpayers have until Dec. 31, 2019 to settle their debts without having to pay the penalties and interests.
Provincial Treasurer Jean Maire Umadhay said the capitol will start receiving payment on Oct. 7.
“This is your chance to take advantage of the relief and pay your taxes minus the penalties,” Umadhay said.
PTO will have a launching in every district to disseminate the program.
The schedules are as follows:
* Sept. 25 – Anilao (4th District)
* Sept. 30 – Santa Barbara (2nd District)
* Oct. 2 – Oton (1st District)
* Oct. 3 – Sara (5th District)
* Oct. 4 – Pototan (3rd District)
In August, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution embodying Provincial Ordinance No. 2019-198 which grants tax relief to delinquent real property taxpayers.
The relief is applicable only to the following:
* real properties which are declared and subject to the taxes
* real properties which are declared and the real property tax has not been paid
* delinquent properties auctioned by the province and for lack of bidders, were subsequently bought by the province of Iloilo
Real properties with pending cases in court and those paid under a compromise agreement are not covered by the amnesty.
The resolution was authored by 4th District Provincial Board member Domingo Oso Jr.
Oso said many taxpayers in Iloilo, particularly the farmers and landowners, failed to pay their taxes as they were adversely affected by El Nino.
In May, the province was placed under a state of calamity due to huge damages in agricultural crops.
Oso also noted other economic conditions such as increase in oil prices and other agricultural inputs which hampered farmers from paying their taxes promptly. (LHC, Capitol News/PN)
