LINGAYEN–Governor Amado Espino Jr. has softened his earlier tough stance on the controversial revised Real Property Tax (RPT) assessment in the province by proposing a five-year staggered scheme of implementation.

Espino made the surprise announcement during a press conference at the Provincial Information Office Tuesday afternoon where he showed a resolution by the Liga ng mga Barangay Federation requesting for a three-year staggered implementation of the approved schedule.

While no details were provided media, the Governor explained that the proposal is for the rate of increase to be spread out over a three -year period, meaning only a third of the approved rate of increase will be implemented this year, then two-thirds of the increase will be applied next year and the full increase will be made due on the third year.

Espino said that in consideration of the plight of small landowners, he will recommend to the provincial board an amendment that would seek an implementation of a staggered scheme over a five-year period instead of just one year as provided for in Provincial Ordinance No. 146-2010 approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan December 10, 2010.

He added that he will recommend to the provincial board the adoption of an ordinance condoning all penalties of the taxpayers on their present and previous unpaid real property taxes.

Espino’s change of heart is expected to appease property owners, including partylist Abono whose founding chairman, Engineer Rosendo So, who has vowed to file a formal complaint against the provincial government by May 13 before the provincial prosecutors’ office for what it claimed as the arbitrary increase of RPT from 300 to 800 percent.

The Governor explained that much as he would want to accede to the clamor to veto the ordinance, the tax update cannot be postponed because local governments have been mandated by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Finance to update its real property tax assessment.

Espino lamented that there was no early opportunity to consider other options such as the proposal of the Liga ng mga Barangay because options some sectors were quick to ascribe malice to the process that accompanied the passage of the ordinance.

The governor’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the latter is expected to endorse it on May 16 when it holds its regular session.

The governor said he believes the proposed staggered scheme will be a win-win solution for both the provincial government and the taxpayers.

Espino maintains that the revised RPT assessment is just and reasonable as it was implemented after seven years since the last increase in 2003.

ABONO’S CASE

So earlier said if the prosecutor’s office will not give due course to their complaint, he will elevate this before the Department of Justice and in case of an adverse opinion, further on to the Court of Appeals.

Espino and So are known allies but their relationship was strained by the passage of the ordinance increasing the RPT assessment which So described as “anti-poor” as it affects all farmers in the province.

The Local Government Code mandates Local Government Units to increase the RPT every three years.

Espino underscored that it was the Department of Interior and Local Government which called the attention of the province in October last year on the need to raise the RPT.

Atty. Verna Nava Perez, provincial board secretary, read during the press conference Resolution No. 03-2011 adopted by the Liga ng Barangay Federation of Pangasinan headed by Espino’s younger brother, Amadeo.

The Liga, in a meeting in Cebu, adopted the resolution on May 7 seeking the staggered implementation of the RPT increase.

The resolution reads in part: “To enable the Province to move on more quickly in its drive to implement the general revisions of 2011 which is more acceptable to everyone, the Liga hereby requests the Provincial Government of Pangasinan (to) effect a staggered scheme implementation of the general revision in the course of three years, more specifically from 2011 to 2013.”

Espino went further by endorsing an amnesty for all delinquent real property taxpayers from as early as 1950 up to the present, provided that they pay their dues this year.—LM

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