Monday, February 14, 2011

GOV. ESPINO URGES LGU EXECS TO PRACTICE DIGNITY AND EFFICIENCY

By: Noralyn F. Dela Cerna


Governor Amado Espino Jr. called on to all local government units (LGUs) particularly the mayors to practice dignity and efficiency in public service that he addressed during the Pangasinan Mayors League induction program recently. The governor lauded the effort of the local chief executives in reconciling their development agenda with the provincial government’s transformational governance. “I observed a very much improved surrounding and cleanliness in your areas adding that the provincial government is presently contemplating on river clean-ups and data computerization of real property taxes”, the governor said.


According to Espino, computerization of real property taxes in the local level is very vital to improve local revenue in which tax mapping activities and revision of property value may likewise be undertaken. The Provincial Tax Center, manned by 50 data encoders, is now undertaking the computerization system of tax declarations in five towns namely Lingayen, Binmaley, Villasis, Malasiqui and Bayambang. Trainings for municipal treasurers and municipal assessors were also conducted last October 21 and 22 to enhance their capability on real property tax collection to fully revise property values.


“Real property tax is a provincial imposition,” Espino said, adding that no matter if the municipality gets the bigger share of 40 percent against the barangay share of 25 percent and provincial share of 35 percent. LGUS are also encouraged to refrain from individually contracting the computerization of RPTA to avoid incompatibility with the iTAX of the province.


Meanwhile, Bugallon Mayor Rodrigo Orduña, president of PML, thanked and hailed the past officers of the league, especially immediate past president Ramon Guico and former Urdaneta City Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. for a job well done. Orduña vowed to continue the accomplishments set by the past PML officials not only for the benefit of the league but for the entire province as well.