Sablan, Benguet mayor suspends surcharges for late, unpaid taxes

By Dionisio Dennis, Jr. 

SABLAN, Benguet – The local government here has suspended the surcharges for late payment of business and real property taxes to prevent people from leaving their residences to do the obligation.

Under Executive Order 33-2020 issued on Wednesday, Mayor Manuel Munar said: “There is a need to suspend the implementation of surcharge or surcharges for late payment, interests on unpaid taxes for the second quarter,” to mitigate or contain the transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)

The order suspends the implementation of the Revenue Code of Sablan town which was passed in 2014.

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency, Munar said taxpayers are directed to stay at home and minimize movements including travels, prompting him to issue the EO to avoid people from going out to their pay business and real property taxes to avoid penalty.

Munar said the order covers taxes due from April to June 30.

“The imposition of the EO would mean lower tax revenue collection but it will ensure the safety and protection of the constituents from the coronavirus disease,” he said.

He said that the scheme for paying taxes will be imposed next quarter after the enhanced community quarantine is lifted.

“The imposition of the suspension of the revenue code will only be for the second quarter," Munar said.

This town is a fifth-class municipality and largely dependent on Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) receiving PHP79 million and the minimal internal revenue generation from small business taxes and real property taxes.

The town residents consist mostly of farmers.

As of this posting, Sablan town remains to be Covid-19-free. (PNA)