Condone water districts’ unpaid taxes – Angara

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara is seeking the approval of a bill that will condone the tax liabilities of local water districts.

In Senate Bill 2518, Angara said the amount of unpaid taxes should instead be used as capital equipment expenditure to expand water service coverage and provide the public with safe and clean water.

Under the proposed measure, the privilege will be given to water districts that adopt reforms that will ensure their economic and financial viability.

Angara said water districts should also not increase appropriations for personal services as well as for travel, transportation or representation expenses and purchase of motor vehicles by more than 20 percent a year.

The Senate committee on ways and means recommended the approval of the bill, which was co-authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto.