Naga to up taxes by 50% next year

CEBU, Philippines - For additional revenues, the City of Naga is set to increase its taxes by next year by about 50 percent.

City administrator Arthur Villamor, in an intrerview with The FREEMAN, however, said only the “regular fees” such as the permits and other charges will be affected by the change.

The real property tax (RPT) and all others will remain the same, as these are still under the 10-year moratorium, starting 2007 when Naga became a city.

“Since dugay na na-amend ang Revenue Code sa Naga, it’s time na nga usbon ni. Barato ra man pud kaayo, mga 50 percent ra,” he said.

The city administrator said there are fees that only amount to P13 or P33 for police clearance, which means adding 50 percent to it or less, will not harm the residents.

For this year, the city has about P100 million in local revenues, and the amount is expected to double next year with the operation of the Kepco-Salcon Power Corporation, which is expected to increase by at least P120 million in annual taxes.

Meanwhile, a team, in which Villamor is a member, has already made a draft to the changes to be made to the city’s Revenue Code.

He said it will “hopefully be ready for implementation next year.” (FREEMAN)