“Numerous” tax exemptions alarm city councilor

CEBU, Philippines — The City Treasurer's Office (CTO) is now keeping track of the tax exemptions the city council has granted after it was noted that numerous requests have been granted without keeping records of them for a long time.

The situation has alarmed minority floor leader Nestor Archival prompting him to call for an executive session with the officials from the city treasurer’s office. Archival said they were alarmed upon learning from the CTO that a certification for tax exemption is immediately issued to the applicant upon approval of a council resolution without any data recorded.

"Na alarm ta kay niingon man ang CTO nga di sila mo-keep og record. Pagpangutana nato, di sila kabalo so ako lang ni i-clarify…kung mao ba jud ni atong process," said Archival.

Invited during the executive session was Julieta Marquita, chief of the RPT division of the CTO. Marquita told the members of the City Council that the only records they keep are those involved in the actual collection.

The council wants those granted with tax exemption to submit documents like deed of conveyance, sale, donation, exchange with extra judicial partition, Certificate Authorizing Registration (CAR), latest tax declaration, among others.

Those taxable properties will be required to undergo the process of computation of transfer tax which will be submitted to the CTO and the City Assessors. While those exempted are advised to get the copy of the council resolution. Those granted exemptions under the Urban Development Housing Act (UDHA) are mostly the Urban Poor groups.

“Nya dili sad na automatic na urban poor ka, kinahanglan registered gyud ilahang association sa city," said Marquita.

She said that these urban poor groups who exempted from paying taxes are those occupying the city-owned properties.

"Kami sa among bahin, kay gihasulan pud mi, kay di man gyud na sila magdungan gyud...tagsa-tagsa sila dira mangayo og sponsor for tax exemption. And then ang among suggestion nalang every group mangayo og usa ka SP resolution granting the members of that association kana nga possible," said Marquita.

Marquita said the National Housing Authority (NHA) has already questioned the granting of individual resolution for tax exemption.

Archival said it is important to keep records of tax exemptions to know how much taxes have been waived. —/FPL (FREEMAN)