CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Treasurer’s Office is working double time to hit its P4.4 billion collection target this year.
After the phenomenal dancing routine to attract tax payers, City treasurer Ofelia Oliva is now requiring her personnel to make up for each day that they enjoy while on leave by giving them P50,000 collection quota for each day that they are out of the office even if they are on official leave.
The amount shall be collected as soon as the concerned personnel report back to work.
“Tinuod gyud na, it’s our collection strategy. Kung mo-leave sila og usa ka adlaw kinahanglan inig balik nila sa trabaho makakolekta sila og P50,000. Kung two days, they have to collect P100,000,” Oliva said.
Oliva, who is known for her eagerness to collect taxes, reminded her personnel that there is no room for laziness in the treasury department.
“Our mandate is to collect taxes. Kahibalo sila niana. Walay lugar dinhi sa among department ang magsige lang og lingkod. Kinahanglan gyud mo-trabaho,” Oliva said.
To further boost the city’s collection efficiency, Oliva has her personnel to bring home one stab of community tax receipts.
“Ako silang gipanghatagan og usa ka stab kay kahibalo ko nga naa pa gyud ilang mga silingan nga wala pa’y mga cedula,” Oliva said.
As of April the CTO has already collected over P600 million in business taxes. Oliva said she is now preparing her mid-year report on collection, which she will be presenting before the media tomorrow.
In spite her effort Oliva could not make the assurance that the city can afford to have a P10 billion budget next year.
“Tan-awonon pa na. Langit ra gyud ang nasayod kung maabot ba na,” Oliva said.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama earlier asked the city treasurer’s office if it would be possible to have P10 billion annual budget next year.
According to Oliva, it was just only a discussion when the mayor asked her and city budget officer Nelfa Briones.
“The mayor was just thinking aloud. He was only asking pero among response kay amo rang giingnan ang mayor nga ato unang tan-awon kung maabot ba gyud,” Oliva said. —(FREEMAN)