MABALACAT City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo has projected a P1.835-billion budget for the city in 2020.
The mayor said he is revealing the income of the city to his constituents for transparency.
"From more than P1.7 billion, our budget next year will be P1.835 billion," Garbo said in the vernacular.
"I am telling the [amount] of money but you see how I use them. It's not that I am telling that the city has a lot of money but you are asking where they were spent," he added.
He encouraged his constituents to pay their real property tax (RPT) properly to help the local government realize its target revenues.
"With God's grace, many people now trust the city government and pay their RPTs," Garbo said.
By next year, the mayor said many investors are set to locate inside the Clark Freeport.
"Investors are sprouting in Clark. Everytime I go to Clark and sees a building being constructed I clap my hands. I say to myself this is another two percent," Garbo said.
Republic Act 9400, or An Act Amending RA 7227 or the Bases Conversion and Development Authority Act, states that a five percent tax on gross income earned (GIE) shall be paid by all registered enterprises within the freeport.
Three percent will be remitted to the national government and two percent to the treasurer's office of the town or city where they are located.
Majority of Clark locators are under the territorial jurisdiction of Mabalacat City.
As the city gets more income from Clark, the city government can provide more services to its people.
"It is not for myself, everytime an investor comes in Clark we are very happy because more services and help will be given to our people. This is not for ourselves, Garbo said.