City orders real property owners to settle tax dues

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City government has been sending notices to real property owners with outstanding taxes, requiring them to settle their delinquency.

Judy Ballesteros, the city’s head of the real property division, said the city treasury department is expecting to collect over a million pesos from uncollected taxes if property owners cooperate and pay their tax obligations to the government.

Ballesteros said that most of the delinquent taxpayers are those heirs who inherited property from their deceased predecessors.

"Kasagaran sa wala nakabayad kadtong nakasunod og yuta pero wala makahibalo nga naa diay sila'y bayranan. Ang uban pud kay kadtong mga pobre nga yuta-an nga wala sab nabayri," he said.

According to Ballesteros, those who were given notices are not aware of their tax obligations to the government.

The city will soon have the names of these delinquent taxpayers published in the newspaper, she further said.

Ballesteros explained that the revenue to be generated from these delinquent taxes is important in ensuring the continuous delivery of basic services.

She added that real estate owners are duty-bound to pay their tax dues for their property on time. She said the city can only allow them a certain period for a delayed payment, but with corresponding penalties, as mandated by law.

If there are delinquent taxpayers, Ballesteros said the city will also give recognition to top 20 companies and other business establishments in the city that are good taxpayers.

The city will honor them next month in line with the celebration of the 47th Charter Day.

Basllesteros said the awardees will be given a plaque of recognition. (FREEMAN)