19 hours ago
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ILOILO CITY — Mayor Raisa Treñas is seeking to extend the 40 percent discount on real property tax (RPT) until 2028.
This is in response to mounting concerns from taxpayers and the business community in the city.
Treñas, on July 4, endorsed to the city council a proposed ordinance certified as urgent, which aims to amend Ordinance Nos. 2023-226 and 2024-235.
“This is our response to the appeals of our taxpayers and the business sector. I’m confident our City Council will consider this to help ease the financial burden of our constituents who are diligently paying their taxes,” the mayor said in a statement.
If approved, property owners will continue to pay only 60 percent of their RPT dues until 2028.
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However, idle lands will remain excluded from the discount and will still be subject to the full additional ad valorem tax.
The proposed ordinance also includes a provision to defer the implementation of the new building assessment schedule, which determines the base unit construction cost used to appraise newly constructed buildings or improvements for taxation.
Under the new plan, the updated schedule of base unit construction cost will take effect starting Jan. 1, 2029.
In 2023, the city council enacted a new RPT ordinance reflecting updated property values, resulting in a significant increase of up to 300 percent in tax rates. It was the first adjustment in nearly 18 years.
The hike drew backlash from some property owners and businesses, who said the higher rates threatened their operations and urged city officials to reconsider.
Some landowners and businesses reported that the increases threatened their business viability and called for further review of the ordinance.
To soften the blow, the city council approved a transitional 40 percent discount on the revised RPT until 2026.
