DAR-Iloilo holds gab on land taxes

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Province of Iloilo conducted on June 26, 2019 a round table discussion on the payment of Real Property Tax (RPT) on agrarian reform covered landholdings at Regatta Hotel, General Luna St., Iloilo City.

Present in the discussion were Municipal Assessors, Treasurers, Agrarian Reform Program Officers (MARPOs) of the 42 municipalities and 2 cities; the Provincial Treasurers Office, DAR-Iloilo Provincial Office Staff led by Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II Lucrecia S. Taberna, DAR Regional Office VI  as represented by Atty. Geony L. Gregorio, Land Bank of the Philippines led by Lemuel F. Sembrano, Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), PARCCOM-Iloilo with Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) Member Ricardo P. Provido, Jr.

The gathering aimed to thresh out issues and concerns relative to the collection of RPT on agrarian reform covered landholdings. It also came up with resolutions, strategies, policy recommendations including the leveling off of mechanisms with the agencies concerned.

The participants raised their problems, issues and concerns and even offered possible recommendations based on their experiences.

BLGF Representative Sesa Grace Cataloctocan discussed the guidelines and procedures pertaining to the payment of Estate and Real Property Taxes on Agrarian Reform covered lands.

Atty. Geony L. Gregorio of DAR discussed the rights and obligations of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) including the payment of RPT and land amortization with the Land Bank of the Philippines.

The discussion ended up with a synthesis presented by Joe-Anna Abilante from the Center for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (CARRD), an NGO partner of DAR in CARP implementation.

Abilante also facilitated and provided funds for the round table discussion.

The synthesis will be used in coming up with policy recommendations and for other future discussions while the policies are being crafted.

The possible policies for recommendation will be initiated by PARCCOM-Iloilo since it is the same body that initiated the discussion.

PARCCOM is a multi-sectoral, collegial, deliberative and coordinative body that monitors CARP implementation in the province.