No details of Paz-Nigel meeting

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza yesterday confirmed having met Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority general manager Paul Nigel Villarete and other officials to discuss unpaid real estate taxes but fell short of giving details of the meeting except to say it was "fruitful."

Based on the records of the Lapu-Lapu City Treasurer's Office, the airport has unpaid real property taxes to the city government amounting to P1.3 billion. However, these unpaid real property taxes include the taxiways of the airport.

Radaza said the city government has prepared the necessary documents and will submit these to airport officials.

A proposed bill sponsored by third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia seeks to exempt the airport from paying their real property taxes.

Lapu-Lapu City officials have registered their strong opposition to the proposal.

Mayor Radaza, on the other hand, said she hopes the city government can collect the unpaid real property taxes from the airport because the city need funds to finance priority projects such as the construction of new classrooms. - THE FREEMAN