Valenzuela eyes P1-B tax collection

Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian has expressed confidence it will make the P1-billion mark in tax collections by the end of the year despite the present financial crisis.

The target represents an increase of some 15 percent over last year’s collection of P857-million, City Treasurer Evelyn de Guzman told The STAR.

This developed as Gatchalian led city hall officials and employees, non-government organizations, the business sector and the common taxpayers in the inauguration last Nov. 10 of the refurbished and now air-conditioned "Taxpayers’ Lounge" flanked by the Office of the City Treasurer and the Real Property Tax Division at the left wing of the old city hall in Poblacion 2, Malinta.

The occasion also marked the launching of the "Gawang Valenzuela Program," one aimed at engendering the growth of local businesses and "transform the lethargic local economy to a vibrant one."

Gatchalian said the lounge "may be just one little thing, but could mean a lot to the taxpayers."

Interior and Local Government (DILF) Undersecretary Marius Corpus was guest of honor and cut the ribbon in simple opening rites yesterday afternoon.

A modest and unpretentious facility by metro standards, the lounge was a brainchild of Minority Leader Councilor Ignacio Santiago Jr. the lounge, will seat some 40 taxpayers at any one time and has two large overhead television sets sit on both ends of the room.

Meanwhile, the mayor reminded city hall employees that his administration’s envisioned change in the tax collection system must coincide with the appropriate change in attitude.

"We are sending a strong signal to our taxpayers that we are committed to serve them. Make them feel welcome, give respect and serve them properly," Gatchalian said.

The city treasurer said the P1-billion target is doable and can be realized through a relentless campaign, distribution of notices, examination of books, inspections and tax mapping, now being waged jointly by the City Treasurer’s Office, Engineering and the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO).

Valenzuela is home to some 8,000 commercial establishments with beauty products-maker Splash Corp., South Supermarket, Flexy Manufacturing and drugstore chain Mercury Drug as the city’s top three taxpayers, BPLO chief Teodora Angeles said.

De Guzman added that Puregold, a new wholesaler’s market, is showing signs it will top the list for 2004.

Santiago also announced in the same occasion the proposal for an ordinance granting a 20 percent discount on the annual tax due for advanced prompt payment made by corporate taxpayers.

The proposal follows Section 251 of the Local Government Code. Ignacio said the discount on real estate tax payments is an incentive that will encourage taxpayers to pay willingly. It will also mean the early and increased collection of due taxes. — Jerry Botial