THE novel coronavirus pandemic will hit hard the income of the Cebu City Government.
Cebu City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) officer-in-charge Jerone Castillo admitted it will be hard for the City to obtain its 2020 projected income which is P9 billion.
In 2019, the City surpassed its target income of P8.2 billion after the CTO collected around P8.4 billion.
“There is substantial effect as to current year collections. We don’t have collections several days when the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was implemented,” said Castillo.
“If the situation would not improve, the City’s projected income for 2020 will be difficult to obtain,” Castillo added.
He said this would mean some programs of the City may suffer.
“As to the prioritization, we leave it to the sound wisdom of Mayor (Egdardo) Labella,” said Castillo.
Castillo said once the situation will be normalized, the CTO will revise its target income.
The City also extended the deadline of payment for real property and business taxes to June 30, 2020.
The deadline of RPT payment was suppose to be on March 31, while for business tax April 30.
As of the first week of April, Castillo said the City has not received any RPT and business tax payment.
Castillo said the CTO is now studying all options so the City can still provide the basic services even if its income is affected. (JJL)