BONTOC, Mountain Province – To enhance, ensure financial stability, and resilience in the collection performance of the province, the Revenue Review Committee and the technical working group (TWG) on the revenue code came up with some rate adjustment of the fees and charges under the existing revenue code of the province that reached more than six (6) years of operation.
The revenue code is to be amended or revised every after five (5) years of operation.
As provided under Section 191 of Local Government Code (LGC), the Local Government Units (LGUs) shall have the authority to adjust the tax rate as prescribed herein not oftener than once every five years, but in no case shall such adjustment exceed ten percent (10%) of the rates fixed under this code.
The committee, headed by Provincial Administrator Amador P. Batay-an, finds the necessity of updating and rationalizing the revenue code especially in the rate adjustments of regulatory fees and charges to commensurate to the escalating costs of the regulations and services provided.
One of the fees and charges that need to be updated is the charges of provincial government facilities especially the lot and building space rental.
The committee proposed to double the lot rental rate per square meter to provide more revenues for the discharge of basic services to the people, commensurate to the sky rocketing cost of lots in the market, and to discourage leaseholders for sale and sub-leasing.
Some hospital fees and charges were proposed for rate adjustment also. According to Dr. Penelope A. Domogo, the adjustment is to upgrade hospital facilities and equipment aside from the escalating cost of medical supplies and equipment. She added that one reason for adjustment is to be at par with other government hospitals.
There is no adjustment of tax impositions of the provincial government since the local governments cannot adjust beyond the rate as provided by the Local Government Code of 1991. The province tax impositions are already at its maximum rates.
The committee including the technical working group (TWG) is in the process of conducting further research and study on the proposed amendments to come up with viable and reasonable adjustments, and in conformity with the codal provisions and declared national policy.
Provincial Treasurer and TWG Chairman, Cawed A. Gamonnac, said that after the proposed ordinance will be finalized by the committee, it will be recommended and presented to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for scrutiny and legislative procedures.
He added that, one of the important highlights of the process is the conduct of public hearing where the public, stakeholders and concerned individuals can air their sentiments and concerns on the proposed amendments. This, according to the treasurer, will minimize question once it is enacted into an ordinance.
The public is soon to be invited by the SP to attend the public hearing on this concern.
By Alfred Macalling
