Defensor Jr. gets full SP backing on grant of tax relief to 'Frank's victims'
Good news to all delinquent real property taxpayers of Iloilo province.
Defensor Jr.
A tax amnesty has been approved by the 9th Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP), virtually spelling over P48.6 million in penalties to be condoned. Tax relief of 100% too, on penalties, surcharges and interest that have accrued on delinquent real property in Iloilo.
And why so?
Provincial officials agreed not to disagree on its need seen as necessary and timely. Such as Iloilo recorded at least P2 billion in valued damage to property courtesy of Typhoon Frank's devastation in June.
Contained in a 22-paged report, Third District Board Member Arthur Defensor Jr. championed the plea of affected Ilonggos. Defensor Jr. is chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means tasked to validate the requested amnesty.
"Undeniably, the grant of the proposed tax relief is truly within the spirit of the General Welfare Clause of the Local Government Code," the conclusion of the committee's recommendation went.
The main issue resolved by Defensor Jr. and committee members focused on whether the grant of tax relief is in the best interest of the province. With top Capitol chiefs as among the resource persons, the answer was an ultimate yes.
"The advantage of having a tax relief in effect in tax collection, is obviously not collecting more, but rather collecting sooner and above estimated collectibles. The tax relief serves as sufficient incentive that encourages taxpayers to pay and that which overcomes the expected delinquency brought by the hard times," the report stated. "The condition of the province with the lingering effects of the typhoons, favors immediate collection rather than the long haul. Be that as it may, there is good reason to grant the proposed tax relief to real property taxpayers with respect to penalty, surcharge and interest. Based on the foregoing discussion, it is clear that, it is in the best interest of the Province. Clearly, the benefit outweighs the corresponding deprivation that would be caused the coffers of the Province."
And the bottom line too, Defensor Jr. noted, was that tax amnesty as now proposed will help rebuild lives and revitalize Iloilo's economy.
When presented to the SP body for approval and adoption, Defensor Jr. got unanimous support.
The town of Miag-ao stands to benefit most with the highest in delinquent real property taxpayers on record numbering to 16,897.