Mayor Michael Rama earlier said he wanted the ordinance approved within March.

CEBU, Philippines — Wenceslao said the ordinance revising the RPT is a “very serious” ordinance that they cannot just approve without a thorough discussion, especially that it would have a huge impact on the taxpayers.

He said they already came with a revised valuation but could not say with certainty it was already okay.

“But di gyud mi kasulti kung mao ba gyud to ang sakto because dako man kaayo ang siyudad,” the councilor said.

He cited as example the Cebu IT Park, which would have a valuation of 245,000 per square meter, which they could not assure that it is already a fair market value (FMV).

“Mo-object ‘nyang konseho ‘nya lisod kaayo.  Di baya ni lalim ning ordinansaha. Og pananglitan ako ni ipugos og pasar ‘nya i-object, akoy mauwawan,” Wenceslao said.

He said that the first of a series of “bicameral meetings” was made last week and would be followed on April 18 and 19.

After that, Wenceslao said he would meet with his fellow city councilors to see if majority of them are already in favor of approving the proposed revisions to the Tax Code.

“Kay if many will be against then I will not pursue it kay useless man,” he said

Wenceslao said the bicameral meetings would help decide on the accurate valuation, which will be the basis for the adjusted tax rates.

This, he said, would take some time so the proposed RPT adjustment could not be tackled yet during their session on April 17.

“Kay ang pag-approve ani is not me alone. We need the majority sa konseho,” he further said.-