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| Hanson Chua, a businessman from Laoag raised an issue about payment of real property taxes on Thursday during a consultative meeting with Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc. The consultative meeting attended by various stakeholders is meant to gather feedback and find solutions to current major problems being faced by city residents. (Lei Adriano) |
By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff Reporter
LAOAG CITY—Several businessmen in this city is appealing to the Laoag City government to freeze the looming real property tax hike next year.
Speaking in behalf of the business sector during a consultative meeting held at the Laoag City covered court on October 10, 2019, Hanson Chua, a business owner here noted their low sales even if it is already in the “ber” months and people usually spend more in time for the upcoming Christmas celebration.
“Business is hurting and it’s like a ghost month because of low sales,” said Mr. Chua citing that apart from the traffic and parking problems that haunt them every day, they also anticipate the payment of higher real property taxes next year.
“Comes tax season, we will again be paying for taxes. With very low sales, we may not be able to pay our taxes,” said Chua as he appealed to the officials of the city government to make way in easing the burden on taxpayers who are still reeling from the brunt of inflation caused by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.
Meanwhile, he likewise requested concerned local government authorities particularly the Department of Public Works and Highways to plan properly in the implementation of road widening and sewage.
“Can we not plan it properly and do it all at once?” Mr. Chua suggested saying businesses are affected every time there is road widening project and just a few months later, the same agency will again conduct repairs or maintenance of sewage on the same site which deters customers who are going to their shops.
While listening to various concerns, Laoag Mayor Michael M. Keon reiterated one more time that the city government and its officials are doing their best to fix the problems.
“There are so many problems that we have inherited. Problems are meant to be fixed but it will take time,” said Mr. Keon as he assured that “We will work everything out. We will address it little by little. Please be patient with me and us. We are listening”.
For his part, Laoag City assessor Ruben Domingo explained the schedule of fair market values is expected every 2-3 years and their hands are tied to implement the law as mandated under the Local Government Code of 1991.
Nonetheless, Laoag Vice Mayor Vicentito M. Lazo said the city council will study a measure to help fix the problem and ensure a win-win solution between the government and the taxpayers.
Under the law, the general revision of assessments and valuation of land usually happens every three years.
In Ilocos Norte, records from the Provincial Assessors Officer showed the last revision was implemented in 2014 with a total real property tax collection of PHP46 million. This contributes to around 32 percent of the total local income sources of the province.