THE MAKATI City government has collected P15.5 billion in revenues, mainly from business and real estate taxes, in the first 10 months of the year, surpassing its 2017 target of P14.5 billion, the Office of the City Treasurer reported.

The Treasurer’s report, according to a statement from the local government, shows that more than half of the collection came from business taxes at P8.2 billion, which accounts for 97% of this year’s target.

Real property tax totaled P5.4 billion, which is already above target and 17.5% higher than the full-year 2016 collection.

Officer-in-charge Treasurer Jesusa E. Cuneta pointed out in her report that the increase in realty collection was boosted by the P727.76 million from delinquent taxpayers and penalties.

The Realty Tax Division, upon the order of Mayor Mar-len Abigail Binay-Campos, has been issuing demand letters to property owners with outstanding obligations, and will be publishing a list of delinquent taxpayers this December, Ms. Cuneta said.

The city treasurer also said that the satellite payment system in the barangays was another effective collection measure, generating around P90 million since January.

Under the Computerized Barangay Realty Tax Payment System, launched in 2005, a quarterly collection period is scheduled wherein satellite payment centers that are electronically linked to the Treasury Department are set up in barangay halls. Of the city’s 33 barangays, 31 are covered by the program.

Other local revenue sources includes Fees & Charges, P658.5 million, and Economic Enterprises at P186.4 million. Makati has an internal revenue allotment (IRA) of P886.8 million from the national fund.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR