BENGUET legislators are proposing to exempt buildings damaged by Typhoon Ompong from paying taxes in 2019.
In the proposed measure, Provincial Board Member Bernard Waclin and Board Member Juan Nazarro Jr. said the grant of tax exemption to buildings damaged by Typhoon Ompong in Benguet is in order to give the people time to regain or recover from the tragic effects of the typhoon.
“The destruction of the sources of livelihood and buildings caused by typhoon Ompong rendered the affected property owners financially incapable to pay their respective taxes for 2019,” said the proposed ordinance, which is now on second reading.
Legislators added the tax amnesty does not apply to real properties which have been disposed of at public auction to satisfy tax delinquencies.
It also does not apply for real properties with pending cases in the courts and administrative bodies, namely the Local Board of Assessment Appeals, Central Board of Assessment Appeals for real property tax delinquencies.
Real properties covered by a compromise agreement on the payment of tax delinquencies are also not covered.
Taxpayers must comply with the requirements to be approved in order to be exempted from paying real property tax on buildings.
Nazarro cited an initial 2,300 buildings in the province are seen to be exempted.
Benguet suffered huge losses after the heavy monsoon rains damaged properties and crops and caused the death of over 100 people.
The Provincial Board had passed Resolution No. 18-418, which declared the province under a state of calamity.
Not fully recovered from such calamity, the damage in the province was further aggravated by Ompong.
The committee on ways and means in coordination with the Office of the Provincial Assessor, Provincial Treasurer, the Municipal Assessors and the Municipal Treasurers in the different municipalities in Benguet are tasked to conduct an information education campaign from December 2018 to January 2019.