NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson clarified Wednesday, February 3, 2021, that he is amenable to give some space to some businesses in terms of real property tax.
Lacson said he is amenable to doing away with penalties if the businessmen are affected by the pandemic brought about by Covid-19.
"This is the reaction of the province to the appeal of the businessmen," Lacson said.
He clarified that the provincial government is only trying to collect the said taxes which would be a big help, especially to the municipalities.
Lacson made the statement relative to the proposed tax relief ordinance which is being heard by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to come up with a solution on delinquent real property owners whose obligation has already reached P2.8 billion for 2020 and prior years.
The proposed ordinance is described as a “win-win” solution for both the delinquent real property owners and the provincial government of Negros Occidental by Board Member Rommel Debulgado, who chairs the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Finance.
Debulgado said the proposed tax relief ordinance is one of the Covid-19 pandemic responses of the provincial government, not for the health but economic benefits of real property owners.
He said that the SP wants to be fair with both the taxpayers and for the provincial government to have revenues for use in extending services to Negrenses.
“The time is now calling for leniency and compromise to taxpayers, who are now experiencing the effects of the pandemic”. Debulgado said.
Under the proposed tax relief ordinance, real property owners will be required to pay 20 percent of their tax obligations, with the remaining 80 percent to be paid within 24 months, either monthly or quarterly, depending on the restructured plans during the two-year grace period.
Debulgado said the P2.8-billion uncollected taxes are coming from the municipalities of Negros Occidental, excluding the component cities.
The collected taxes will be shared by the town, which will have a share of 45 percent, while the province and barangay are entitled to receive 35 percent and 20 percent, respectively, he added.
Debulgado said Lacson wants the proposed tax relief ordinance to take effect within the second quarter of the year.