City Hall open on holidays for taxpaying public

CEBU - Taxpayers can still pay their tax obligations at Cebu City Hall on December 29, 30 and 31, which are non-working days as declared by the government.

Even yesterday, a special non-working day, some personnel of the tax payment section worked and waited for those who want to catch the deadline. But only few taxpayers arrived.

Assistant city treasurer Emma Villarete said they have already assigned personnel to work on those non-working days.

Villarete said taxpayers who still fail to settle their tax obligation still have time to pay until the end of this year to avoid penalty.

“Kun naay mobayad sa ilang buhis para 2008 nga adto na sa 2009, penalty na g’yod,” Villarete said.

December 29 and 31 have been declared special non-working days while December 30 is a regular holiday.

Villarete said City Hall has rented a space at Elizabeth Mall to be used as one-stop shop where taxpayers can pay their taxes effective next week.

The Local Government Code provides that taxpayers can pay their tax obligation without penalty if they will make it not later than January 20 of every year.

Villarete said properties such lands and buildings of delinquent taxpayers will be sold through auction to satisfy their tax obligation to the concerned LGUs. But the owners can still redeem their properties within one year.

There is now a move of Councilors Joey Daluz III and Hilario Davide III to create a team - headed by the city treasurer - to dispose of properties owned by delinquent taxpayers. — Rene U. Borromeo/LPM   (THE FREEMAN)