CEBU, Philippines - Delinquent taxpayers who want to redeem their properties levied by the Cebu City government for nonpayment of real property taxes will have to wait some more until the members of the city council approve it.
The city council deferred the proposal of Councilor Jose Daluz III to allow delinquent taxpayers to redeem their properties. Majority of the councilors wanted that the proposal should be subjected to a public hearing.
According to Daluz, there were several property owners who expressed interest to redeem their forfeited properties by paying the unpaid taxes and the corresponding penalties.
Among the properties forfeited by the city for nonpayment of taxes is the house owned by Jesus Malagar Escario. Although the building is now owned by the government but the lot remains to be owned by Escario.
The committee on laws headed by Councilor Sisinio Andales had already rendered an opinion in favor for the redemption of the property by the heirs of Escario.
“Although the one year redemption period had already expired, yet for practical purposes the committee is of the opinion to allow the heirs of Escario to redeem their ancestral house,†Andales’ committee reported.
According to Daluz, there are several other similar cases where the owners wanted to redeem their property.
Daluz said the City Treasurer’s Office has no objection to it because by allowing the previous owners to redeem their properties the city will earn revenues. (FREEMAN)