Defensor Jr. wraps up tax relief Ordinance for 'Frank-affected Ilonggos'
How much of a tax relief is just for Typhoon Frank-affected Ilonggo real property taxpayers? And if granted, will it be – in the long run - beneficial to the Provincial Government of Iloilo?
The answers are "in the works,” The News Today (TNT) gathered with a report and draft Provincial Ordinance in its final stages.
The tax amnesty reached the Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) as per request of Governor Niel Tupas. In a letter, the Governor wrote of an estimated P2 billion property damage in Iloilo no thanks to the devastation left by Typhoon Frank in June.
The matter has since been referred to the Committee on Ways and Means chaired by Third District Board Member Arthur Defensor Jr.
Thus far though data from the Provincial Treasurer's Office hangs following the request made by Defensor. The Committee, TNT learned, wanted to have a picture of the projected amount set for condonation vis-a-vis amnesty.
With purported property damage of about P2 billion, Governor Niel Tupas Sr. called for a "priority Ordinance" granting tax relief and amnesty to Iloilo's real property taxpayers.
The tax relief and amnesty as sought is on the penalties, surcharges and interest up to December 31, 2008.
"That considering the rebuilding of property and lives will take the people of the Province of Iloilo months if not years to recover, it is expected that economics difficulties will force real property taxpayers to be delinquent in the payment of real property taxes particularly landowners belonging to the agriculture and fishery sectors who were the most hit by Typhoon Frank," excerpts of Tupas request stated.
The governor backed his SP request citing a provision of the Local Government Code.
"I believe that in order to ease the present economic plight of the people of the Province of Iloilo, the grant of said tax relief including the amnesty to previous penalties and surcharges until December 31, 2008 is of paramount importance," the governor ended.
The matter is up for first reading and corresponding referral in today's session.