DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Monday, October 3, approved Executive Order 11, creating a tax group that will further improve the city’s current revenue generation in order to sustain delivery of public services.
The EO 11, which was signed by Duterte, ordered the creation of Tax Research and Action Team (TRACT).
The newly-created tax group will “conduct massive tax campaign, monitor the operations and activities of all who are doing business in the city, and take necessary and appropriate action against erring business firms to require them to pay their taxes, fees and charges in the City of Davao.”
The EO underscored that tax policy should be based on sound revenue projections of the city’s financial requirements and an understanding of the existing and potential revenue base in its territory.
EO 11 highlights the need to revisit and update the city’s Revenue Code enacted in 2005. Based on the Local Government Code of 1991, local government units are authorized to adjust tax rates “not oftener than once every five years.”
The Davao City government deems it necessary to update the Revenue Code “to make charges commensurate to the cost of the regulation and services provided.”
Chaired by Mayor Inday Sara, TRACT is co-chaired by the City Administrator while vice chair is the City Legal Officer.
TRACT members include Committee Chair on Finance, Way, Means and Appropriations, City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), City Treasurer, City Assessor, City Economic Enterprise, Asst. City Administrator for Administration, City Administrator for Operations, and the office of Business Permits and Licensing. (davaotoday.com)
