Tax amnesty sought for Ompong hit buildings
BENGUET legislators are pushing for tax exemption to buildings damaged by typhoon Ompong.
In the proposed measure, Provincial Board Member Bernard Waclin and Board Member Juan Nazarro Jr. said the
grant of tax exemption to buildings damaged by typhoon Ompong in Benguet for 2019 is in order to give the people time to regain or recover from the tragic effects of the typhoon.
“The destruction of the sources of livelihood and buildings caused by typhoon Ompong rendered the affected property owners financially incapable to pay their respective taxes for 2019,” said the proposed ordinance which is now on second reading.
Legislators added the tax amnesty however does not apply to real properties which have been disposed-off at public auction to satisfy tax delinquencies. It also does not apply for real properties subject of pending cases in the courts and administrative bodies namely the Local Board of Assessment Appeals, Central Board of Assessment Appeals for real property tax delinquencies and Real properties of which the payment of tax delinquencies subject to compromise agreement.
Taxpayers must comply with the requirements to be approved in order to be exempted on real property tax on buildings.
Nazarro cited an initial 2,300 buildings in the province is seen to be exempted.
Previously, Benguet suffered huge loss and damages to properties, crops, buildings and caused several deaths due to Southwest Monsoon or ‘Habagat’ and other weather disturbance prompting the provincial board to pass Resolution No. 18-418, declaring the province under State of Calamity.
Not fully recovered from such calamity, the damages in the province was further aggravated by Ompong.
The committee on ways and means in coordination with the Office of the Provincial Assessor, Provincial Treasurer, the Municipal Assessors and the Municipal Treasurers in the different municipalities in Benguet are tasked to conduct information education campaign to be conducted from December 2018 to January 2019.