Olivarez vows no tax increases

MANILA, Philippines — Parañaque first district Rep. Eric Olivarez vowed yesterday that there would be no increase in business permit and real property tax in the next three years of his administration if he wins as mayor.

“My first order of business: No increase in business and real property taxes,” Olivarez said in a statement.

He made the assurance after local and foreign businessmen as well as real property owners asked him not to increase tax rates since they were caught unprepared in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Up to now, hundreds of businessmen in the city have not been able to recover from the pandemic. The local government must help them,” Olivarez said.

Like other countries, he said the Philippine economy would take more than a decade to return to pre-pandemic growth and the losses would be felt over the next 20 to 30 years.

Olivarez said his administration would continue the online transaction project of his elder brother, Mayor Edwin Olivarez, for business permit renewal, computerization of data, information and transactions at city hall.

Parañaque was cited as the most business-friendly local government unit for its Project Express Lane 2, which enhanced investors’ confidence and improved the delivery of services.