Balbalan tops 2020 tax efficiency collection performance in Kalinga

Balbalan, Kalinga―The Local Government Unit of Balbalan through the Office of the Municipal Treasurer tops the tax efficiency collection performance for the year 2020 with its high collection rate on Real Property, Business Tax and Fees and Charges compared to the other municipalities and city in the province.

The Provincial Treasury Office reports that Balbalan garnered 169% performance rate from the projected collection target set by the Bureau of Finance. It was followed by the municipality of Rizal with 130% performance rate, then Pinukpuk with 129% rating.

In an interview with Municipal Treasurer Leonore Gunday, she relates that they were able to get the award having devised a strategy to facilitate the collection process, of which key departments from the executive branch have actively contributed.

Said strategies include the conduct of intensive tax campaigns, giving of t-shirts as incentives to prompt taxpayers, granting of cash for work to the 14 barangays, and coordinating with Department of Education (DEPED) for teachers to secure tax clearance at the end of each school year.

The administration, she said, also partnered with the Commission on Election (COMELEC) to require all candidates to secure tax clearance during the filing of candidacy.

Sending of notices of tax bill to taxpayers who are staying outside the municipality was also done through close coordination with the punong barangays.

Moreover, incentives in the form of barangay project were also given to recognize the top three barangays with the highest collection on Real Property.

She relates that, with authorization from the Sangguniang Bayan, P1 million fund was allocated for said program of which the winning barangay will get P500,000 worth of project, P300,000 for the second prize winner, and P200,000 for the third placer.

Gunday reported that the increase in local tax collection in the municipality covers the collection from contractor’s fees and charges on infrastructure projects, collection of value added tax (VAT) from suppliers and real property tax collection.

Tax collection in said areas, she said, was facilitated with implementation of a provincial ordinance that provided amnesty relief for delinquent Real Property Tax payers.

OTHER NEWS

Apayao records 2 COVID-19 P3 variant

ADVERTISEMENT

Follow Guru Press Cordillera on Facebook for more News and Information