QC collects record P5.3-B in revenues

The Quezon City government has collected some P5.3 billion in revenue as of Dec. 15 this year, surpassing its annual budget requirements by P139 million.

In his annual report to Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., city treasurer Victor Endriga Jr. said the city has posted a total collection of P5,314,031,177.58, ahead of the city’s P5.175 annual budget this year.

"This is the biggest ever in Quezon City history," he said.

Endriga said the city government has projected P5.2 billion revenue this year and an increase of 30 to 40 percent yearly up to year 2004.

Belmonte has initiated measures to expand the city’s tax base and improve tax collection to be able to finance the city government’s plans, programs and projects as part of his efforts in making Quezon City a quality community.

Endriga said that while a city ordinance helped increase the tax rates of some businesses in the city, honest and efficient tax administration has also played a vital role in the city government’s successful tax collection.

He said his office initiated measures to improve tax collection and to expand the city’s revenue base in line with Belmonte’s efforts of generating more job opportunities and improving the delivery of basic services among city residents.

Dr. Endriga said part of the city’s intensified tax drive includes the investigation of unscrupulous and erring employees involved in anomalous transactions, like the issuance of fake real estate tax receipts. Some cases had been filed before the Office of the Ombudsman.

The City Treasurer’s Office also undertook measures to expand the city’s tax base by coordinating with the City Registry Office in cross-checking the transfer of tax payments, which resulted in the discovery of spurious tax payments. – Pia Lee-Brago