City collects P5.5 billion taxes in 5 months

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Treasurer Office has collected P5.5 billion in taxes for the first five months of this year.

Acting City Treasurer Arlene Rentuza said the collection is more than half of this year’s target budget which is P8.1 billion.

She attributed this to the office’s “aggressive” collection and tax campaign measures to keep taxpayers aware of their responsibility.

“There also an increase in new real properties in the city and increase in tax declarations,” she said.

With new administration leaders taking the helm at the Cebu City Hall, Rentuza hopes they will implement measures to intensify the collection of taxes to ensure that all projects and services will be implemented and delivered.

She said it is up to the newly-elected officials, who are set to assume office noontime of June 30, on how to meet or surpass this year’s target collection.

The city government needs P8.1 billion to fund its operations and other services this year.

“It’s imperative for them (incoming administration) to collect because we have a budget. We have to fund the budget,” Rentuza said.

As of May 31, 2019, the city collected P5,495,677,244.98 from tax revenues, real estate tax, and business tax, among others.

The collection though is lower compared to the same period last year at P6.4 billion.

As for the business tax, she said, the office also implemented tax mapping and examinations of book to ensure tax payers will pay their dues to the city.

The city collected P1.36 billion (business tax), P785 million (real estate tax), P134 million (other taxes), and P1.2 billion (external sources), among others from January to May this year.

Moreover, Rentuza hopes the incoming administration will continue the fight against tax evaders and implement all measures imposed by the office for the continued and efficient collection of taxes. — KBQ (FREEMAN)