Antipolo holds first online bidding of delinquent real properties

Serious in its campaign against delinquent taxpayers, the Antipolo City government held its first online bidding of real properties recently at the Meralco Management Leadership Development Center along Sumulong Highway.

Forty-three bidders joined the online bidding.

Antipolo City Mayor Angelito Gatlabayan, city administrator Atty. Gilbert Lauengco, Vice Mayor Danilo Leyble, other city officials and department heads led the opening ceremony of the two-day public auction of real properties.

In a statement, Gatlabayan said, "Although it is hard on the part of the city government to do this auction of real properties, it is very important to implement this plan as this will help the city’s progress. Income from this auction will be used for the delivery of basic services to our constituents."

He said the city government cannot just depend on its internal revenue allotment as it slows down the delivery of services to the public.

"We will continue this process so that our constituents will be more responsible in paying their taxes, specifically on real properties," he said.

For his part, Lauengco said the online bidding is an effective tool to show that it is essential for any local government unit to implement the law. He said this bidding is based on Section 256 of Republic Act 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991.

An estimated P9 million in additional income was generated during the bidding.