Paz, Nigel to meet over "unpaid" taxes

CEBU, Philippines - Officials of Lapu-Lapu City and Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority will meet sometime next month to discuss unpaid real property taxes. The exact date however is being kept under wraps.

In yesterday's press conference, Mayor Paz Radaza said she and Mactan Airport general manager Paul Nigel Villarete have agreed to meet and discuss the issue.

"Duna mi plano nga mag-meeting pero wala pa mahibaw-i kon unsang adlawa," Radaza said.

She said she hopes whatever the outcome of the meeting would not only be beneficial to Lapu-Lapu City but also to the airport authority.

She said a pending bill now at the House of Representatives seeks to exempt MCIAA from the payment of real property taxes.

Mayor Radaza and other city officials are opposed to the proposal sponsored by third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia.

Garcia wants MCIAA exempted from the payment of real property taxes to the city government of Lapu-Lapu.

Another proposal now pending at the House of Representatives is the bill introduced by Congressman Arturo Radaza which asks that the city mayor be given seat at the MCIAA board.

Lapu-Lapu is eyeing the unpaid real property taxes amounting to P1.3 billion because it wants to construct more school buildings. – THE FREEMAN