THE local government unit of Mabalacat had collected some P649 million representing clearances and taxes from Clark Freeport locators in 2018.
This was stated by Mayor Cris Garbo during a thanksgiving party for various government agencies, private entities, business establishment that supported the local government realize its programs and target revenues for the past two years.
Garbo personally thanked the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) officials led by President Noel Manankil and chairman Jose De Jesus for the revenues derived from the Gross Income Earned (GIE).
Under Republic Act (RA) 9400, an act amending RA 7227 otherwise known as the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992, a five percent tax on gross income earned shall be paid by all registered business enterprises within Clark Freeport Zone and shall be directly remitted to the national government (three percent) and treasurer's office of the municipality or city where they are located.
Garbo said the city government surpassed its collection target of P640 million last year.
“This is the first time po that the city surpassed its income [from Clark locators] because our target income was only P640 million but we collected almost P650 million,” he said.
The city mayor also thanked other national government agencies which assisted the local government in terms of program implementation.
He also thanked the city council headed by Vice-Mayor Christian Halili for supporting the programs in terms of funding and approval of support ordinances and resolutions.
“Without them (councilors), I will not be able to do all these things because the power of the executive always comes from the Sangguniang Panlungsod,” Garbo said.
“The people now feel their local government and they are benefitting from the efficient delivery of basis services like free health care and medicines,” he added.