THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD in a strong show of support to the city government passed a tax amnesty ordinance which would provide tax relief to delinquent taxpayers of real property taxes (RPT) from the year 2019 and before.
Councilor Celia C. Lim, the author of the ordinance, said this would increase the tax collection of the city this year since the amnesty would encourage the delinquent taxpayers to clear off their taxes while the amnesty was in effect.
The measure was certified as urgent by City Mayor Marc Brian Lim in a letter addressed to the Sanggunian, stating that it is “both timely and appropriate to adopt the measure granting tax amnesty and/or relief to real property owners who have failed to pay their real property taxes for previous years.”
The city mayor endorsed the ordinance citing that the city and the people of Dagupan were affected by the current public health crisis and the tax relief would alleviate financial burdens as well as encourage the settlement of unpaid real property taxes which would consequently accelerate the efficient collection.
City administrator Vladmir T. Mata and City Treasurer Romelita Alcantara said the condonation of penalties and interest on unpaid real property taxes would augur well for a steady cash flow and a stable economy.
Meanwhile, the council likewise threw its support to two other measures, namely:
* Draft Resolution No. R- 5961, entitled, “SUPPORTING HIS HONOR, THE CITY MAYOR, THIS CITY, OF HIS REQUEST TO THE PHILIPPINE CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES OFFICE (PCSO) TO ENTER FOR AND IN BEHALF OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF DAGUPAN AND SIGN THE DEED OF DONATION OF ONE (1) UNIT OF AMBULANCE BY THAT GOVERNMENT OFFICE.” (Approved)
Draft Resolution No. R-5962, entitled, “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING HONORABLE CITY MAYOR MARC BRIAN C. LIM TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE PHILIPPINE CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES OFFICE (PCSO) TO ACCESS THE FUNDING ALLOCATED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS.” (Approved)
The Sanggunian is set to deliberate another tax relief measure, Proposed Ordinance No. O-779 entitled “AN ORDINANCE CONDONING ALL PENALTIES, SURCHARGES AND INTERESTS ON ALL PUBLIC MARKET RENTS”, on second reading next Tuesday during its regular session through a Zoom conference meeting.
