CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is pushing for a city budget of P10 billion for next year.
Rama said the city’s tax collectors should double their efforts to collect billions of pesos in taxes within the remaining six months of this year.
But the mayor refused to say whether the city will raise taxes to attain the P10 billion budget for 2012, only saying that there are many business establishments that are making money but are not paying taxes.
The city’s budget for 2011 is P4.4 billion.
A recent tax mapping conducted by the City Treasurer’s Office revealed that only one in four business establishments in the city is paying taxes to City Hall.
Rama explained that a bigger budget means more projects such as farm-to-market roads, markets, slaughterhouses and improvement of the city-owned hospital.
Asked about the feasibility of the P10 billion budget for 2012, assistant city treasurer Emma Villarete said: “When the officials of both executive and legislative branches will fully support us morally and financially in all our revenue plans and programs we might be able to at least substantially increase our actual collection.”
City budget officer Nelfa Briones said the city’s tax collectors should be more active in collecting taxes.
“I agree with her. Active and aggressive but of course we need the support because we are immune to possible legal actions sa mga taxpayers nga maigo sa among intensified tax collection,” Villarete said.
As of June 16, the city’s tax collection, including other revenues, already reached P3 billion. The city only needs to collect P1.5 billion until the yearend to meet the target for this year.
Rama instructed public information officer Carlo Dugaduga to facilitate for a meeting with members of the City Hall Local Finance Committee and the businessmen over the correct payment of taxes.
The mayor is hopeful that with the construction of many highrise buildings – many of them will be operational next year – the city can collect millions of pesos in additional revenues.
Rama wanted to sell lots at the South Road Properties to raise more funds, but Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said majority of the city councilor are not amenable to the mayor’s plan.
South district Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña is also against the idea of selling the SRP lots pending the completion of the projects of SM Prime Holdings and Filinvest Land Incorporated. — (FREEMAN)