Delinquent towns told to pay tax liabilities

By Leny G. Gabo

Several municipalities in the province of Iloilo have not remitted the provincial government's share of their real property tax (RPT) collection amounting to P19 ,508,246.48 .

Provincial Treasurer Melba Sullivan recently issued the list of municipalities that failed to remit the provincial government's share as of yearend 2004.

In the list, the town of Leganes had the biggest unremitted tax of P7 ,387,431.63 while San Enrique comes next with   P6,619,010.77. Carles town follows with an unremitted share of P1 ,695,650.78 .

Aside from the RPT, the provincial share also includes the Special Education Fund (SEF).

Iloilo Governor Niel D. Tupas , Sr. earlier said that appropriate charges would be filed against the delinquent towns if they continue to ignore their obligations to the provincial government.

Records from the Provincial Treasurer's Office show that the town of Leganes was not able to remit the provincial share since February to July and October up to December last year.

San Enrique's delinquency, on the other hand, covers the period from January to December last year.

Carles town was not able to remit from February to July and October up to December last year.

Provincial Legal Officer Salvador Cabaluna said the province has 35 percent share from the RPT collected by the municipalities.

He said the municipal governments are obliged to remit the provincial share annually.

Tupas said the unremitted shares if paid could add to the funds of the provincial government that could be used in the delivery of basic services to the people.