No code yet as council yet to tackle proposal

CEBU, Philippines — There is no definite date for the final deliberation of the proposed ordinance on the Revised Real Property Tax (RPT) code for Cebu City despite the call of Mayor Michael Rama to have RPT implemented next month.

In an interview with the media yesterday, Feb.28,2024, Councilor Noel Wenceslao said that he personally spoke with the mayor about the matter where he disclosed that the revised RPT code is already up for final deliberation, but there is no schedule yet.

Wenceslao, who chairs the Committee on Budget and Finance of the City Council and the author of the proposal, said the mayor's call to pass the revised ordinance by March is viable, however added that it will not be possible without the united consensus of the Cebu City Council.

Rama earlier called on the City Council to pass within the month of March the needed ordinance that will update the schedule of fair market values in the city and subsequently adjust the calculation of real property taxes.

“Within the month of March. That is what I have been telling them already. No ifs, no buts. It has to be within the month of March,” said Rama in an episode of Ingna’ng Mayor on the Sugboanon Channel.

“Ang pinaka-importante, let us approve the revised real property taxation. Mag-una gyud na’ng real property taxation, (any) amendment will follow,” he added.

According to Wenceslao, it would be difficult to bring the revised RPT to final deliberation without the majority of the Council agreeing to it to make sure that its purpose will not be defeated.

He disclosed that members of the City Council have yet to meet outside their regular sessions due to their respective "busy schedules."

"Hopefully, di lang ko musaad but hopefully, ma meet nako and they will agree and if the majority will agree. Mao nay akong gisulti ni mayor, we need to meet first," said Wenceslao.

Wenceslao also said that as the RPT is a "very crucial" ordinance, it is important that the majority of the city council would have the same stand.

If they will have different opinions on the matter, Wenceslao said they will face yet another delay on its passage.

“I will not do a final deliberation if the majority of the council dili mo uyon kay useless man gihapon kay kung mu deliberate, anyway, we have a whole deliberation in the caucus dili lang namo i-public,” said Wenceslao.

Aside from this, Wenceslao also said that they have to consider the increase of the Fair Market Value (FMV) where the soar of RPT will be based from. He said they would then consult with the council on the amount that will also compliment the property owners. - /ATO (FREEMAN)