Tax amnesty extended till end of January

By Leny G. Gabo

The Iloilo provincial government's Real Property Tax amnesty has been extended until the end of this month.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved the extension of the tax amnesty program based upon the request of Iloilo Governor Niel D. Tupas Sr.

Tupas asked for the extension to give way to the farmers who have asked for favor since their payment lies on their second cropping.

He said, farmers of the province asked him to extend the tax amnesty from January 15 to January 31 st to give them time to pay.

One of those who appealed for an extension is the Panay Federation of Sugarcane Planters because it has not yet finished its harvest.

Tupas explained that granting an extension is one way of helping the people in the province to lessen their tax dues especially delinquent taxpayers.

He added that due to the said amnesty, many were prompted to settle their accounts in the province.

The governor added that it is also one way for the province to increase its income.

On his State of the Province Address (SOPA) delivered last January 4 Tupas said the province has generated big income due to the amnesty program.

The provincial board has unanimously approved to amend the Provincial Ordinance number 2004-051, extending the deadline of tax amnesty to January 31 this year considering that it is beneficial for the province.