• CHERYL G. CRUZ
All delinquent real property taxpayers in Bacolod City can avail of reprieve or condonation of penalties anew as the Sangguniang Panlungsod approved Oct. 16 the proposed RPT amnesty ordinance.
Authored by Councilor Al Victor Espino, the ordinance, approved on first, second, and third and final reading under suspended rules, shall apply to all delinquent real property taxes (RPTs) in Bacolod for taxable periods before the effectivity of Republic Act (RA) 12001 on July 6, 2024.
RA 12001 provides that local government units may grant tax amnesty, reprieve, or condonation of penalties, surcharges, and interest on RPT delinquencies to alleviate the financial burden on property owners and encourage economic recovery.
Espino, chairperson of the SP Committee on Laws and Ordinances, recalled that the city had granted similar measures in the past to provide relief to taxpayers, adding that previous tax amnesty initiatives resulted in the collection of P122 million.
“With the new amnesty, we anticipate that we could generate around P200 million in tax collections, based on the current volume of delinquent accounts and the projected participation rate,” Espino said.
These funds can be allocated to essential public services, infrastructure development, healthcare, and other pressing needs of the city, ensuring a more stable financial outlook, he added.
“We are well aware of the challenges faced by our residents and business owners when it comes to fulfilling their tax obligations. Many of our taxpayers continue to struggle with the economic impact of various crises, whether it be the lingering effects of the pandemic, inflation, or other financial setbacks. By offering this amnesty, we are not only giving them an opportunity to settle their tax liabilities without the burden of penalties and interest, but also encouraging them to become active partners in the development of our city,” Espino said.
Section 4 of the ordinance states that all penalties, surcharges, and interest accruing on the unpaid RPTs…are condoned, provided that the basic tax due is fully paid on or before July 6, 2026, or within two years from the date of effectivity of RA 12001.
A taxpayer shall submit an application for amnesty or condonation to the City Treasurer’s Office, and settle the entire amount of the basic real property tax due within the prescribed period, to avail of the tax reprieve.
The amnesty does not cover delinquent real properties that have been disposed of at public auctions, those with tax delinquencies which are being paid pursuant to a compromise agreement, and real properties subject of pending cases in court for RPT delinquencies.
“We encourage taxpayers to pay their overdue taxes within the specified amnesty period,” Espino said, adding this, in turn, will boost the city’s revenue, encourage compliance and instill a culture of responsible citizenship, help stimulate the local economy, and strengthen government-taxpayer relations.
“This initiative is not merely about generating revenue; it is about giving our people a fair chance to start anew, empowering them to contribute actively to Bacolod’s progress,” Espino stressed. | CGC
