By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
CALL IT “OVERTAXATION.”
Discrepancies in real property tax (RPT) payments at offsite centers and the lack of an integrated system frustrated taxpayers, preventing many from availing themselves of additional discounts before the year-end.
The City Treasurer’s Office announced on December 29, 2024, that three offsite payment centers — SM City Iloilo, Festive Walk Mall at Megaworld, and Marymart Center — were unable to process payments that day due to unforeseen health issues affecting collectors.
City Treasurer Jinny Hermano explained that replacements could not be provided as all other collectors were assigned to City Hall. As a result, the Atrium payment center was the only offsite location operational for payments on that day.
Offsite payment operations resumed on December 30.
The suspension came amid Mayor Jerry Treñas’ call for taxpayers to settle their 2025 RPT before December 31 to avail of an additional 10% discount.
To accommodate taxpayers, City Hall extended its operating hours beginning December 16.
“We recognize that taxes are the lifeblood of government operations. While this extension provides much-needed financial relief to taxpayers, I continue to appeal to everyone to fulfill their tax obligations promptly,” Treñas said.
Amid operational issues, a taxpayer called for an extension of the 10% discount period to compensate for the disruption in services.
Another taxpayer criticized the offsite centers for their inability to compute the 40% discount due to system limitations, forcing them to transact at City Hall, defeating the purpose of offsite payment centers.
Some residents suggested implementing an online RPT payment portal to streamline the process, while others expressed frustration on social media over long queues at payment centers.
The city government previously boasted a 100% compliance rating with the Anti-Red Tape Authority under Republic Act No. 11032, also known as the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act,” for the second consecutive year in 2023.
Full compliance suggests that residents and businesses in the city can expect quicker and more efficient access to government services.
In 2024, Iloilo City was recognized as the second most business-friendly local government unit in the Philippines during the 2024 Most Business-Friendly Awards.
Meanwhile, the Iloilo City Council passed an ordinance on December 27, in a special session, extending the 40% discount on RPT until 2026.
The ordinance, amending Tax Ordinance No. 2024-229, ensures that only 60% of the approved RPT increase will be imposed on real properties in the city, excluding the additional ad valorem tax on idle lands.
