Mayor, barangay captains back revised revenue code

CEBU, Philippines - The leagues of municipal mayors, vice mayors and the barangay captains in the province have thrown their support behind the implementation of the 2008 Revised Revenue Code.

In yesterday’s Provincial Development Council meeting at the Capitol Social Hall, the mayors and barangay captains believe that the new tax code will help their respective localities increase revenues for the benefit of their constituents.

League of the Municipalities of the Philippines president and Dumanjug Mayor Cesar “Sarsi” Baricuatro presented a motion supporting the full implementation of the new tax code.

“We will fully support the revenue code passed by the Provincial Board,” Baricuatro said. The said resolution was approved en masse by the municipal mayors.

But Compostela Mayor Ritchie Wagas suggested that the new schedule be deferred for a year to allow “breathing space” for taxpayers who might resist the new tax scheme.

Wagas also proposed for the council to come up with the guidelines on a “collective approach” that will address the resistance from the public and taxpayers.

For real property taxes, only 35 percent of the revenues is retained by the province while the remaining 65 percent is shared with the municipality (40 percent) and the barangay (25 percent) where the property is located. 

Despite the resistance to the new tax code, Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy said that a local government unit should stand for what it believes is right.

Liloan Mayor Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco said that the “safest and soundest” investment is in the government because the public knows that the taxes collected are returned to the local government units in terms of basic services.

“We are looking for the better good for the greater member of people,” said Frasco.

Tuburan Mayor Constancio Suezo said it is high time the revised revenue code be implemented since the municipality is also seeking ways to help constituents affected by the global economic crisis.

Pilar Mayor Jesus Fernandez Jr. agreed with Suezo, saying that the collected revenues will be used to aid the retrenched workers due to the economic downturn.

Provincial Board member Teresita Celis, the ex-officio member who represented the Association of Barangay Captains, also presented a resolution supporting the revised Revenue Code.

The resolution of Celis was also approved en masse.

Celis said that the barangay captains she talked with expressed gratitude for the implementation of the new tax scheme.

Vice Mayor’s League of the Philippines president and Balamban Vice Mayor Ace Binghay also presented a motion for the continued implementation of the revenue code, which was still approved on mass motion.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday said the new tax code passed through proper procedures and public hearings before the Cebu Provincial Board approved it on third reading.

Garcia said the municipal mayors were all informed about the proposed new tax scheme.

PB Member Peter John Calderon, who authored the tax ordinance, said the tax measure was referred to the committees on ways and means and before a series of public hearings was conducted.

In a March 13 letter, Edward Gaisano, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry requested the provincial board to temporarily set aside the implementation of the Revenue Code. — Garry B. Lao/BRP (THE FREEMAN)