BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Economic Enterprises Development Division (EEDD) of the provincial government of Negros Occidental is proposing an increase in taxes, permit and transaction fees.
It has submitted the proposal to the offices of Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz.
The last time there were amendments made to the Provincial Revenue Code was back in 2017, approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).
Diaz said it is time that new amendments be introduced to the Provincial Revenue Code.
Among others, there are proposals to increase the rent paid to EEDD-run establishments such as the Negros First CyberCenter, Mambukal Resort and Negros Residences.
The Negros First CyberCenter is the first information technology multi-complex stand-alone building in Western Visayas. At the time it opened in 2015, it was the 25th special economic zone for information technology enterprises in the city of Bacolod, and brought the city’s footprint to more than 100,000 square meters of space accredited by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.
Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the oldest and most successful government-run resort in Western Visayas. This tourist destination and provincial government-revenue earner is located in Barangay Minoyan, Municipality of Murcia, Negros Occidental.
Negros Residences, on the other hand, is a provincial government-owned hostel.
According to Diaz, taxes, permits and other fees being collected through transactions with the provincial government would be covered in the proposed increase.
The first part of the proposed 2022 Tax Revenue has already undergone a series of hearings before the SP led by the Provincial Treasurer’s Office.
The proposals have been forwarded to Governor Lacson and once approved, the new rates would be imposed next year./PN
