Bauko mayor explains election barbs, programs

By Arsenia Addon

BAUKO, Mountain Province –Attacked by critics during the election season for tax increases of this town, Mayor Abraham B. Akilit said he would implement his “Gamen ya kataguan” program of governance.

He said this was needed to alleviate 63. 50 percent poverty incidence of the municipality.

However, valuation and increase of real property tax was an imposition of Sangguniang Panlalawigan Ordinance 150 and not that of the Bauko local government, he said.

Business licenses and permits, he said, are computed according to provisions of the Municipal Revenue Code of the municipality, he added, and people must be guided on guidelines provided in these two documents to know their tax obligations.

The mayor said he would give priority to health, agricultural, tourism, livelihood, revenue generation, manpower skills development, job fairs and environment and watershed protection.

Special projects such as water bottling through the tubigtalino technology will in in operation, he added.

Renewable energy development will be explored for possible source of additional income. The Trading Center will be enhanced to market livelihood products and other revenue raising activities. Tied up to this initiative is the man power, skills Development and conduct of job fairs to help provide employment among unemployed citizens of Bauko.

The oath taking ceremony for the newly elected and reelected officials in Bauko will be on June 29 at Bauko municipal gymnasium.