Groups to formally communicate with BIR on zonal valuation

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Various groups affected by the implementation of zonal valuation are set to formally communicate anew their concerns and “opposition” to the zonal valuation implemented by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) last March 11.

After meeting officials of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., real estate brokers, businessmen and investors at Heroes Hall over the weekend, Mayor Oscar Rodriguez told Sun.Star Pampanga that the groups agreed to re-negotiate with the internal revenue office to find another “win-win solution” and reconsideration on the zonal values that are about 800 percent higher.

“We agreed to formally communicate the concerns and grievances of the groups on the zonal values for possible reconsideration. Nag-aalma ang ating mga kasama dahil nabalewala lahat ng aming ginawa sometime in 2007 when we talked to the then Finance Secretary Gary Teves. There is a need to revisit the background of the order implementing now,” said Rodriguez, who was instrumental to having the zonal values suspended and “frozen.”

He said the zonal values, reaching as high as P40,000 per square meter in areas like Jose Abad Santos Avenue in this city, could slow down collection of real property taxes and shoo away potential investors.

“Malaking problema talaga ito dahil nabalewala lamang iyung napag-usapang P17,500 per square meter in the previous negotiations. We were all surprised by the sudden decision pero department order iyan at batas na. But the affects of the perceived zonal values will drive away investors from the city because our valuation will be higher than other cities like Angeles. Mapag-iiwanan na naman tayo. This includes many of balikbayan senior citizens who want to retire and invest their savings on properties within San Fernando,” noted Rodriguez.

He said the formal communication will be relayed soonest to officials of the BIR.

“There is the immediate need to articulate concerns and issues particularly the importance of lowering at least zonal values in areas of the city,” he said.