Aklan ready to auction delinquent properties
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - The Provincial Treasurer's Office is ready to auction close to 200 parcels of land in the province of Aklan on December 15 here.

Supervising Administrative Officer Rey Villaruel said the public auction of properties situated in 17 municipalities is open for interested buyers after property owners failed to pay their taxes and penalties.

"Interested bidders in the auction of foreclosed properties are encouraged to ascertain the existence and title of the property before they participate in the bidding process," Villaruel said.

Villaruel stressed that within one year after the date of sale, the delinquent property owner has the right to redeem the property upon payment of the total amount of taxes, cost of sale, penalties and interest and related charges.

In case the taxpayer fails to redeem the property, the local government will execute a final deed conveying the property to the purchaser.

In case there is no bidder for the real property, the Provincial or Municipal Treasurer will purchase the property in behalf of the local government to satisfy the claim pursuant to Section 262 of the Local Government Code.

Villaruel said persons interested to participate in the auction sale on December 15 have to register and post a cash bond of P2,500, which is refundable after the auction sale. After payment of cash bond, the bidders are given the Rules, Regulations and Conditions of the public auction.

As this developed, PTO recently advertised the notice of sale of delinquent properties to the highest qualified bidders. Before the the sale of property, notices of deliquency were given to owners and posted in strategic places in the respective municipalities where the properties are located.

Villaruel said officials and employees of the Philippine government are not allowed to participate in the auction sale to be held at the Gov. Augusto B. Legaspi Sports Complex.