Bacolod strengthens tax collection, creates task force

BACOLOD City–In order to strengthen the tax collection system of this city, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez created Task Force Revenue (TFR).

The mayor cited Republic Act (RA) 7160, which grants a local government unit the powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, including maximizing efforts to effectively collect all taxes due to the government.

Benitez said that in recognizing this mandate, there is a need to strengthen the local revenue collection system in Bacolod to enhance the city’s capability to deliver essential services to its constituents and accelerate the implementation of various projects that are largely dependent upon tax collection.

TFR was formed under Executive Order No. 061, signed by Benitez last year. It shall formulate action plans to expedite and hit the collection target of the city, including all revenue collection, particularly real property taxes.

The task force is composed of chairperson Arlene Memoria, head of the City Treasurer’s Office. Its members include: * Business Permits and Licensing Office head Stela Rose Rayos

* City Assessor’s Office head Atty. Maphilindo Polvora

* City Accounting Office officer-in-charge (OIC) Atty. Jeremae Ann Ceriaco

* Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Karol Joseph Chiu

* Internal Audit Services head Jose Kay Agpangan

*Management Information Technology and Computer Services OIC Ramon De los Reyes

* City Budget Office head Maria Imelda Williams

* City Planning and Development Office head Mary Jean Ramos

* City Mayor’s OfficeSectoral Concerns Lea Carmela Zayco, and

*Atty. Ally nLuv Dignadice – Secretariat./ PN