BACOLOD City – To collect delinquent tax payments, this city will grant a tax relief to delinquent real property taxpayers.
This comes after the City Council on Wednesday’s regular session approved on third and final reading the proposed ordinance granting tax relief to delinquent real property taxes (RPT) for this year.
Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairman of the Council’s committee on laws, ordinances and good government, said he proposed the ordinance that holds significant potential for the city’s growth and financial stability.
This ordinance, he said, seeks to grant a tax amnesty on RPT in the city, building on the success of their previous efforts.
In his privilege speech during their regular session, the city councilor cited that in the past years, they had taken similar measures to provide relief to taxpayers, and he was proud to share that their previous tax amnesty initiatives resulted in a remarkable collection of P122 million.
“This success has demonstrated not only the effectiveness of tax reprieves in boosting revenue but also our commitment to easing the financial burden on our constituents,” Espino said.
He added: “As public servants, we are well aware of the challenges faced by our residents and business owners when it comes to fulfilling their tax obligations. Many of our taxpayers continue to struggle with the economic impact of various crises, whether it be the lingering effects of the pandemic, inflation, or other financial setbacks.”
By offering this amnesty, taxpayers are not only given an opportunity to settle their tax liabilities without the burden of penalties and interest but also encouraging them to become active partners in the development of the city.
The approved tax amnesty ordinance aims to provide relief by condoning penalties, surcharges, and interests on delinquent real property taxes.
This is in accordance with Section 30, Article V of Republic Act 12001, of the Granting Tax Amnesty and Special Levies on Real Property, which took effect last July 6, 2024.
The City Council urged delinquent real property taxpayers to pay their overdue taxes within the specified amnesty period.
“The P122 million collected from the last two ordinances is a testament to this. With the new amnesty, we anticipate that we could generate around P200 million in tax collections, based on the current volume of delinquent accounts and the projected participation rate,” the councilor added./PN
