Real property tax revision in Aklan pushed

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The provincial and the local governments in Aklan will be spending P26 million for the proposed 2015 general revision of real property assessment.

This was revealed by Provincial Assessor Kokoy Soguilon during a public hearing, saying, “of the total amount, P14 million will be shouldered by the provincial government and the rest by the 17 municipalities.”

A series of public hearing is being held at Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) session hall from February 27 to 28 and on March 6 on the proposed revision of market values in Aklan.

Under Section 219 of the Local Government Code or the Republic Act No. 7160, the local governments are mandated to undertake a general tax revision of real properties every three years.

Soguilon said the last revision and updating of market values of real properties was way back in 2005 for more than 350,000 real property units (RPUs) or parcels in Aklan.

Since then, the province of Aklan has not implemented the mandated adjustments of market values.

Soguilon said the proposed schedule of new market values effective year 2015 is ‘long overdue’.

Taxes on real properties are imposed based on the market values, generally for two percent to include the Basic Tax and the Special Education Fund (SEF) for the maintenance of public schools, construction and repair of public buildings facilities and equipments and others.

In Metro Kalibo comprising the barangays of Poblacion, New Buswang, Andagao and Estancia, the assessor’s office proposed to increase the tax as high as 299 percent on residential, commercial or 250-percent for first class industrial properties.

For the remaining 12 barangays in Kalibo, the tax imposed is as high as 173-percent for first class residential properties while tax on commercial lots will increase to 200-percent.

After the scheduled public hearings, the Aklan legislative council will study the proposal and enact the appropriate ordinance, if necessary.

During the public hearing, Provincial Treasurer Suzette Pioquid has encouraged delinquent real property taxpayers to avail of condonation on surcharges, penalties and interests that were due and collectible for taxable years 2013 and prior.

Real property owners are required to pay all delinquent basic taxes in full not later than June 30, 2014.