Baguio council okays taxpayers’ amnesty on fines over unpaid dues

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY -- The City Council has recently approved on final reading an ordinance granting an amnesty or relief to taxpayers for their penalties, fines, and charges for unpaid dues for the year 2021.
    The ordinance was forwarded to the City Mayor’s Office to be approved by the chief executive before it takes effect.
    The amnesty shall apply to all taxpayers who were not able to pay their dues up to 2021 on their scheduled payment period.     Taxpayers, through this ordinance, shall be allowed to settle their dues until the last working day of 2021. 
    According to the ordinance, the penalties shall be computed from the time they became due if they were not settled within the prescribed period.
    The ordinance stated City Treasurer Alex Cabarrubias recommended the enactment of an amnesty in response to the predicament and appeal of Baguio taxpayers to keep them afloat.  
    The ordinance said the city government recognizes clamor of citizens and the business sector they are affected by the financial crisis brought about by the Covid-10 pandemic. 
    In 2020, the city council also enacted a similar tax relief ordinance for affected business establishments operating during the quarantine period.