Iloilo govt, DAR launch tax project

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – The Iloilo Provincial Government and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) - 6 launched the Iloilo Comprehensive Agrarian Reform and Taxation (I-CART) project.

More than 300 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the province signed a pledge of commitment at the provincial capitol yesterday.

I-CART, a first of its kind in the Philippines, aims to empower ARBs with a strong sense of ownership by issuing individual tax declaration for each tenant beneficiary with individual and collective Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) and Emancipation Patents (EPs).

As such, the ARBs are required to pay their Real Property Taxes (RPT) on time.

Iloilo Provincial Treasurer Melba Sullivan disclosed that many ARBs have not been prompt in paying their taxes. Records show that tax delinquencies under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) have reached P25 million last year.

Sullivan is optimistic that with I-CART, beneficiaries will be more aware of their obligations.

Under the program, the Provincial Treasurer’s Office will be conducting massive information dissemination accross the province. – (FREEMAN)