DOF, World Bank-assisted computerization project launched in Iloilo City
Iloilo City promises an improved quality of life for its residents brought about by increased revenues and investments as it embraced a project that will make business processing faster and real property tax collection even more efficient.
This was the message relayed by World Bank Portfolio Manager Maryse Gautier during the inauguration of the city computerization program that was assisted by the World Bank and the Department of Finance (DOF) Friday afternoon.
The project has two components namely the Real Property Tax Administration System (RPTAS) that covers appraisal and assessment and land tax payment and collection and the Business Permit License Tax Administration System (BPLTAS) which includes business tax, regulatory fees, charges assessment, business permit application and payment and collection.
Gautier said the project will bring in additional value to Iloilo City by giving it more sustainability in resources.
"Thanks to this computerization you will be able to increase your taxes and cover the costs of this computerization in less than one year," she said. "I think this is an excellent example that we would like other local government in the country to be aware of."
The project is worth P11.939 million but 50 percent was shouldered by the World Bank.
A total of 30 computers were installed equipped with printers and nodes.
The installation of the project and encoding of data took only about three and a half months to complete. To date under the BPLTAS, a total of 20,432 businesses operating in the city have been encoded; 3,587 are new businesses, 16,822 are renewed and 23 have already closed.
Under the 2008 RPTA records, around 498,473 were transferred into the computer and 153,211 were already cleansed records.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, meanwhile said that "the full completion of the computerization of important documents signaled that we are more than ready to face the unstoppable growth of Iloilo City."
"With the world moving rapidly and inexorably to a high-tech future where lifestyles and economics will be largely influenced by information technology, the Ilonggos cannot afford to lag behind. If we aspire for global competitiveness and progress, we simply must keep up with the technological strides of other cities and nations and ride the wave of progress," he said.
Friday's inauguration was also graced by National Treasurer, Undersecretary Roberto B. Tan, Presentacion Montesa of the Bureau of Local Government and Finance in Western Visayas and other World Bank representatives. (PNA)