Pagadian City Councilor Noli Garcia

Now on its 3rd and final reading in the chambers of the city council, the proposed ordinance will effect the gradual increase of real property taxes for the next three years which will start on June 2009 by 30%, for the second year another 30%, and finally, for the year 2011, another 40%, making a total increase of 100%.

In an interview with City Assessor Federico Bahio, he said that the revised rate will increase the city’s collection of taxes by an estimated 80% for the year 2011 compared to city’s collection for the year 2007 which was only 28.9 million. Bahio further added that comparative study shows that Pagadian City lags behind in the collection of real property taxes with our neighboring cities of Iligan, Ozamis, Dipolog, Cagayan and Oroquieta. “For example, for residential first class, Pagadian City is only P196.35 while in the cities of Oroquieta it is P330.00, Ozamiz P700.00, Iligan P1-thousand, Dipolog P2,940., and Cagayan de Oro is P5,850 ”, he added.

Meanwhile, members of the Pagadian City Business Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed their individual opinions and reactions on the proposed tax increase. One businessman, who requested for anonymity, said that it will give much burden on their part considering that prices of commodities especially rice and gasoline are also increasing. While another said that it is alright to increase the taxes as long as the money will go to coffers of the city government for tangible projects. Another businessman queried, “What is the purpose of the tax increase?”

The business group, however, will still come up with an official position on the proposed real property tax increase as they will still consult with their individual members. One possible option that they might do is lobby for the suspension of its implementation pending a thorough study of its possible impacts to the business community once it is implemented, they added.

Last update : 18-05-2008 10:29

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