Capitol targets P1-B collection on real property tax

THE Provincial Government of Pampanga is targeting at least P1 billion in real property tax (RPT) collection following the intensified implementation of the Integrated Taxation Management System (iTax) in the province.

Engr. Romeo Dizon, provincial assessor, said the province’s RPT collections have already reached some P500 million, and could still be improved with the continuing efforts by local officials to automate transactions on real properties. 

He said the target can only be achieved upon the full implementation of the iTax system in all municipalities in the province.

Dizon said the iTax system is favorable to local government units, as it would promote transparency, efficiency and effectiveness that will lead to a remarkable increase on tax collection.

The system is designed to eliminate lengthy manual process with the use of software that provides all details about properties, tax liabilities, and encumbrances that affect ownership of a particular real property unit (RPU).

Dizon attributed the sudden increase of RPT collections on the tax mapping operation, which started as early as 2010, resulting in the discovery of some 581,683 unregistered RPUs in the province’s 20 municipalities.

The documents obtained during the tax mapping show that there are 452,620 RPUs in 470 barangays in the province.

Governor Lilia Pineda recalled that for so long, the Provincial Government had recorded only P24 million in annual RPT collections.

"Gumastos tayo mahigit P50 million at additional na P16 million sa tax mapping kaya naman gumaganda na ang ating koleksiyon ngayon dahil na rin sa pagtutulungan natin," she stated.

Meanwhile, Pineda led the launching of iTax system in Sta. Rita town on Tuesday.

Sta. Rita Mayor Yolanda Pineda said, “This will greatly help in the collection of our real property tax and will promote efficient collection with automated calculations, ensuring correct tax collection.”