Saturday, March 7, 2009 [ sunstar.com.ph ]
By Jovi T. De Leon
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Mayor Oscar Rodriguez said the city has extended its awarding of discounts on Real Property Taxes (RPT).
Rodriguez made the announcement after the wrap-up of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PamCham)'s Stakeholders Dialogue with the Bureau of Internal Revenue on Zonal Valuation at Max's Restaurant in Villa del Sol here.
He said it was timely for taxpayers to be informed that the city is extending until May this year the 10 percent discount on RPT.
"Although we have revised valuations of real properties in the city, we saw to it that they are reasonable enough for our taxpayers. We have kept them in line with our continued thrusts to entice investors to locate in the city and generate employment for our people," the mayor said.
"There will be added or hidden costs for the taxpayers on this. There is no under the table in City of San Fernando," Rodriguez said.
He said the move was just to allow for more convenience on taxpayers here, especially in the midst of the global financial crisis.
"With this, we hope to give people that new lease in life. Coupled with our programs on free education, our graduates could be employed with investors locating here. The tax discount is our way of extending a hand to taxpayers and prospective investors," stated Rodriguez.
Pampanga Chamber Chairman and business leader Levy Laus, meanwhile, lauded the city's move on the discount while citing the city's own valuation of properties as "realistic and reasonable."
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