Bago City tops tax, fees collection efficiency in WV

Bago City Treasurer Caruso Villaflor Jr. (right) presents to Mayor Nicholas Yulo the trophies given to the city government during the Bureau of Local Government Finance and Regional Association of Treasurers and Assessors in Region VI Inc. recognition rites held in Murcia, Negros Occidental recently. (Photo courtesy of Bago City PIO)

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The city government of Bago in Negros Occidental bagged three awards during the Bureau of Local Government Finance and Regional Association of Treasurers and Assessors in Region VI Inc. (Regata VI) last week.

The local government emerged as the top one among 16 cities in Western Visayas in terms of business tax and other tax collection efficiency, at 579.57 percent, as well as in fees and charges collection efficiency, at 533.56 percent.

Also, the city has the highest locally sourced revenue on fees and charges, among all component cities in the region. Based on its 2021 collection, the city generated about P84.89 million.

Mayor Nicholas Yulo lauded the men and women behind the City Treasurer’s Office for their exemplary work.

Yulo stressed that taxes are the lifeblood of the government and that the city cannot operate without them.

“The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) situation added to our dilemma,” he said, adding “but with the efficient collection and with the cooperation of our taxpayers, we were able to get the awards.”

The recognition ceremony was held at Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary in Murcia town on Dec. 7.