Garcia’s call for provincial tax rollback gets support

Local

THREE municipalities in Cebu Province have formally supported the call of former Cebu 3rd District Representative Pablo John Garcia’s to reduce real property and other taxes in Cebu Province.

The respective municipal councils of Pinamungajan, Balamban, and Barili have passed resolutions formally endorsing Garcia’s advocacy, saying the proposed tax relief could help ease the financial burden on households and businesses amid high prices and rising operating costs.

In a resolution carried by the Barili Municipal Council, it said that reduced taxes would provide relief to residents, especially those who do not qualify for government aid but are struggling with rising prices and high taxes.

“Every peso saved by families and businesses through lower taxes is a peso that can be spent on food, education, health, and other basic needs, or reinvested to sustain and grow local enterprises,” read part of the resolution authored by Shelomith Ewican.

The Balamban Municipal Council likewise passed a resolution supporting Garcia’s advocacy and urging the Provincial Government to provide tax relief and assistance to homeowners, small businesses, investors, and tourism operators.

As to the Pinamungajan’s Sangguniang Bayan, it said that a tax rollback is also beneficial to investors and businesses by lowering operating costs, encouraging investments, and providing relief to tourism establishments, particularly in areas with fewer visitors.

“The reduction of these taxes will bring down the cost of doing business and thereby make Cebu more attractive to both local and foreign investors,” said the Pinamungajan Municipal Council’s resolution approved on September 7.

The former congressman believes that it’s time for Cebuanos to have much-needed financial relief and a break, considering the series of challenges the province has endured in the past years, which include the COVID-19 pandemic, Typhoon Odette, the earthquake in northern Cebu, high inflation, skyrocketing fuel prices, and the Middle East conflict, among others.(MyTVCebu)