MOUNTAIN PROVINCE—Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan has issued an executive order to update the province’s existing five-year-old revenue code.
Executive Order No. 29 series 2016, dated Oct. 25, 2016, formed the Revenue Review Committee and the Technical Working Group to revise the code as provided under Section 191 of Local Government Code, Lacwasan said.
The governor has been pushing for amendments to the tax ordinance to maintain the province’s financial stability.
Local government units have the authority to adjust the tax rate as prescribed once every five years, but in no case shall the adjustment exceed 10 percent of the rates fixed under the LGC, the governor added.
The Office of the Provincial Treasurer deemed it necessary to update and rationalize the revenue code, especially for regulatory fees and charges commensurate to the escalating costs of the regulations and services provided by the provincial government.
Provincial Administrator Amador P. Batay-an and Provincial Treasurer Cawed A. Gamonnac lead the Revenue Review Committee as chairman and vice chairman, respectively.
The committee members are Oliver A. Culallad, Provincial budget officer; Lily Rose T. Kollin, provincial planning officer; Dr. Nenita A. Lizardo, provincial health officer; John K. Likigan, provincial agriculturist; Marjorie Q. Kiat-ong, provincial assessor; Atty. Tomas A. Kiwang, provincial attorney; and Gary A. Pekas, representative from the Governor’s Office.
The provincial treasurer heads the Technical Working Group with Rafael L. Lingbanan, Jr., Gemma Teresita R. Fateg, Randy B. Tic-chap, Florence R. Gut-omen, Concepcion A. Wangdali, Alfaretta D. Diaz, Mary Jane S. Tumapang and Dr. Penelope Domogo as members.
The committee shall update and finalize the draft of the Revenue Code of Mountain Province and present it to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for evaluation and enactment after the proper legislative procedures.
Meanwhile, Provincial Assessor Marjorie Q. Kiat-ong sought the general revision of real property tax valuation in the province in compliance with the provisions of the New Local Government Code or the Republic Act No. 7160 mandating a general tax revision of real properties, every three years.
The Provincial Assessor’s office is currently working on a new schedule of market rates and undergoing field validations of problematic real properties to come up with doable and realistic tax records.
The local officials are optimistic that the revenue collections will increase once the revenue code and tax records have been updated.