August 9, 2019 | 12:31 am [ bworldonline.com ]
THE CITY of Manila is moving to reduce real property tax rates by 40%, with the proposed ordinance concerned already garnering third- and final-reading approval at the city council, Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso told reporters on Thursday.
“Siguro in a few days now babagsak na sya sa akin (Maybe in a few days it will be submitted to me for signing),” Mr. Domagoso said.
Under the proposed ordinance, cuts will be implemented in three years: 20% in the first year of implementation and 10% each in the third and fourth years.
“Ang tao dapat magbayad ng buwis (People should pay their taxes),” Mr. Domagoso said.
“Pero ‘pag ang buwis hanggang langit na — hindi na kayang abutin ng tao — ito ay panggigipit na(But if the tax is hefty, it becomes an unjust burden),” he added.
“Kaya gusto kong iwasto ‘yung mga bagay na sa tingin ko ay hindi naman nakabubuti sa taumbayan(I want to correct what I think is no longer for the good of citizens.)
Mr. Moreno recalled that real property tax reduction was one of his proposals during the campaign for the May 13 legislative and local elections.
At the same time, the expected reduction of real property tax take will be matched by increased collection efficiency, which he estimated at around 72% currently.
Manila increased real property tax rates by 60% in 2013 under former mayor and president Joseph “Erap” Estrada. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas
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