October 24, 2008 [ journal.com.ph ]
EVEN at this time of financial crisis, the Parañaque City government appears determined to exact higher taxes from residential, commercial/industrial and agricultural lands in the southern part of Metro Manila.
A proposed city ordinance, a copy of which was obtained by the Fourth Estate Federation of Villages and Homeowners’ Associations, Inc., increases real property taxes from 180 to 700 percent.
Under the ordinance, the assessment level for residential lands will increase to 20 percent; agricultural lands, 40 percent; and commercial/industrial, 50 percent.
A “corner influence value of 20 percent of the base” would be added to the valuation of lots situated at the corner of two roads.
All city councilors are listed as proponents or co-proponents of the proposed measure which, if approved, would be the second revision of the fair market values of land since 1991.
The officers of FEFVHAI described as “arbitrary and unfair” the proposed increase in real property taxes. They cited the case of the residential land values of Fourth Estate Subdivision, which would be increased to P3,500 per square meter.
The association called for a public hearing on the proposed city ordinance.
