Wenceslao insists on local RPT ordinance

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Councilor Noel Wenceslao is amenable to revisiting his deferred proposed ordinance on revised real property tax but insists on having the city’s local tax measure passed despite the enactment of the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA).

Wenceslao, chairman of the committee on budget and finance, said he welcome the new law and the intent of his colleagues in the council to revisit his proposed ordinance. In fact, he is open to amending the draft ordinance to include the Base Unit Value (BVU) as set by the RPVARA.

Despite the passage of the new law, Wenceslao said the local government unit can still pass the proposed ordinance of the revised RPT taking into consideration the nationally established BVU.

“However, as far as the assessment level is concerned, pwede maka increase or decrease ang local government unit. So, there is also the possibility nga pwede nga there will be an amendment of the ordinance nga pwede nato i-staggered ang implementation for the RPT,” Wenceslao said.

According to him, they can still push for the approval of the revised RPT only with the adoption of the national valuation. He said they can establish their own assessment level that can either be increased or decreased.

“We can lower it or higher it kay wa manay labot. Or, we can amend to give discounts or staggered implementation sa maong RPT,” said Wenceslao.

He clarified that on their current draft, before the passage of the RPVARA, they didn’t change the assessment value but only the BUV. Furthermore, Wenceslao said he is yet to expedite the impact of the RPVARA on current tax rates since it hasn’t been set yet by the national government.

“But I am sure nga there will be difference in terms of base unit value as far as sa gi-set sa national ug sa gi-set namo as proposed in the RPT ordinance,” he said.

Wenceslao said the ordinance has been deferred due to the soaring tax rates and the valuation. He added various opinions arise based on the BUV where the new tax rates are based.

“Pero karon sila (national government) naman ang mo set so wala na tay problema,” said Wenceslao. (CEBU NEWS)