Atienza maintains opposition to IRA cut

The Metro Manila Mayors League maintained its opposition to the proposal to cut the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for local government units (LGUs) to help address the country’s fiscal problems.

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, concurrent president of the League, said local chief executives in the National Capital Region have made a "very clear position not to allow any cut in IRA."

"Our position is very clear, we are against it. It is not the solution to the problem," Atienza told The STAR in reference to the proposal to cut IRA for local government units.

He reiterated the opposition after the League of Municipalities of the Philippines offered to defer 50 percent of IRA to help President Arroyo address the country’s financial problem.

But Atienza explained that any cut on the IRA could further aggravate the country’s fiscal crisis.

"If the IRA is reduced, every local government unit’s capability to implement development is also be reduced," he said.

The mayor likened the reduction of the IRA to a decrease in the dosage of medicine to a sick person. "If you reduce the dosage, you reduce his chances of recovery. Definitely, this is not the solution to the problem," he said. — Cecille Suerte Felipe