Mayor shocked by power firm’s tax reduction

ITOGON, Benguet -– Local Chief Executive Oscar Camantiles recently sent a letter to the National Power Corporation (NPC) asking for an explanation for the sudden decrease of the town’s National Wealth Tax (NWT) from the operation of the San Roque Multi–purpose Dam.

The letter dated August 7 was addressed to NPC president Froilan Tampinco. It states the usual quarterly range of the NWT being paid to the municipality during the past three years is from P2.2 to P3.3 million.

With this, the letter further stated, “The local government unit prepared its development programs and expenditure plans hoping the NWT share will be fully obtained as it is indispensably a crucial factor of the realization of such programs and plans.”

However, Camantiles expressed they were astounded when they were handed the copies of the checks which shows the town’s quarterly NWT share last year. The town discovered the quarterly share they received last year was P156,220.55, a meager amount compared to taxes received previously.

“Surely, there must have been a palpable mistake or stark error somewhere which regrettably led to such an unbelievable of our Municipality’s NWT share. If and when it is irrefutably established that there is no such mistake or error in the computation, it is humbly recommended that the NPC or its dully authorized agents or representatives thoroughly educate us of the facts and circumstances which resulted to the abysmal decrease in our NWT share for our enlightenment,” read the letter of Camantiles.

As a recall, the abrupt decrease of the NWT of the town started in the first quarter of 2011 as showed by the municipal treasurer’s records.

Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño earlier called on the House Committee on Local Government to investigate on the matter because he received a complaint from the officials of Barangay Dalupirip.

Camantiles welcomed the investigation.