CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza has sought the help of students in convincing the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) to pay realty tax amounting to P1.5 billion to the city government.
During the turnover of a school building to Marigondon National High School, Radaza urged the students to petition MCIAA through a letter brigade. She said the unpaid taxes can very well build more classrooms.
"After all, their taxes, when paid to the city ,will forever change the poverty landscape of Lapu-Lapu as we will be able to strengthen our public education system," Radaza said in her speech.
Radaza said that once paid, part of the P1.5 billion would automatically go to the Special Education Fund (SEF), which will be used to build more classrooms in different public schools in the city.
Last November, Radaza directed the City Treasurer's Office to send another demand letter to the MCIAA board. The mayor said it is the obligation of the city government to remind delinquent tax payers to settle their obligations.
The MCIAA is asking the Senate through a pending bill for exemptions from its obligations to the city government but this will not deter the city government from sending demand letters.
The city mayor said that as of November 1999, MCIAA's total unpaid real property taxes have reached P1.5 billion.
"My stand is firm that they need to pay. Mahimo raman sila mo data og sugod og bayad. They are getting income from Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Mactan ug rentable space nagdawat man sila income," Radaza said.
Radaza said the city government wants to use the money to build new classrooms.
"Ako giingnan ang DepEd apil mo sa pag-ampo nga bayran nata kay kana inyo short sa classroom, which is short of 400 kapin, mahimuan na namo og classroom kung mobayad na sila," she said.
Radaza admitted there remains a shortage of classrooms in the city. Some classrooms even have to be shared by 60 or more students at once, especially when the K-12 program was implemented. Despite a shortage in classrooms, Radaza said the city is still lucky because the public school teachers there remain dedicated to their jobs.
Radaza said education remains key to progress that is why the city is giving emphasis on this area.
Yesterday, she acknowledged the Aboitiz Foundation, Lexmark International Phil. Inc and Philippine Business for Social Progress that are helping build more schools in the city through the public-private partnership (PPP). (FREEMAN)