Nasugbu goes after RCI’s unpaid real estate taxes

MANILA, Philippines — The municipality of Nasugbu, Batangas is seeking to collect from  Roxas and Co. Inc. (RCI) unpaid real property taxes.

Nasugbu Mayor Antonio Barcelon on May 13, served a notice to RCI for the revocation of its business permit should the company continue to fail to settle its real property taxes which have become due and demandable to date.

“This serves as a formal notice to your company of the possible revocation of your business permit by this office should you continue to fail to settle your real property taxes which have become due and demandable,” Barcelon said.

No final assessment has been made yet, but initial assessment shows taxes due could exceed P1 billion.

The notice comes amid increasing tensions in the longstanding land dispute between RCI and an estimated 50,000 residents and agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Barcelon has also sent a letter to the Bank of the Philippine Islands, seeking for the bank’s assistance “in whatever legal and appropriate action” to resolve the issues.

Barcelon said the subject case and properties cover eight barangays, which have a total population of 38,523.

The Municipal Council of Nasugbu in a resolution dated May 6, 2024 also appealed to the national government to help protect the interests of the Nasugbu residents whose lands are allegedly threatened to be seized by RCI.