Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has issued Executive Order No. 067 creating the Bacolod City “Task Force Revenue” to strengthen the tax collection system of the city.
The order, dated November. 22, 2023, said local government units, under R.A. 7160, are tasked to maximize efforts to effectively collect all taxes due the government, more particularly real property taxes pursuant to Sections 197-283 Chapter 1, Title 2, Book II of the Local Government Code, and other local impositions.
“Recognizing this mandate, there is a need to strengthen the system of collection of local revenues of the LGU, in order to enhance the capability of the city in delivering essential services to our constituents and accelerating the implementation of the various projects of the city which are largely dependent upon its efficient tax collection,” it said.
The Bacolod City “Tax Force Revenue” will be composed of City Treasurer Arlene Memoria as chairperson, with members composed of Business Permits and Licensing Office head Stela Rose Rayos, City Assessor Maphilindo Polvora, acting City Accountant Jeremae Ann Ceriaco, Secretary to the Mayor Karol Joseph Chiu, Internal Auditor Jose Ray Agpangan, acting MITCS head Ramon de los Reyes, City Budget Officer Maria Imelda Williams, CPDO head Jean Ramos, and Lea Carmela Zayco of CMO Sectoral Concerns. Secretariat is acting City Administrator Allyn Luv Dignadice.
The order said the task force will formulate action plans to expedite and hit the collection target of the city, including all revenue collection specially real property taxes; submit recommendations to the city mayor to further enhance the tax collection system of the city, and perform other such functions as may be directed by the mayor for the accomplishment of the foregoing.
(Chrysee Semillano via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy by TVDS)