Ilonggos air concerns on tax hikes, transport plan

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By Juliane Judilla

Residents from various sectors gathered Saturday, Sept. 6, for a public consultation forum to discuss the impacts of local economic policies at Hofbauer Hall, St. Clement’s Church in Iloilo City.

The forum, dubbed Mahal ang Magmahal sa City of Love: Konsultahang Bayan on the Impacts of Local Policies on the Daily Lives of Ilonggos, was organized by the Western Visayas Youth and Students Alliance (WVYSA), the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) – Panay, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) – Panay, and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) – Panay.

Participants included students from different universities, small business owners, young professionals, drivers and operators, parents, women, members of the academe, and barangay officials.

The consultation focused on the effects of the proposed increase in real property tax (RPT) and the Enhanced Local Public Transport Route Plan (ELPTRP) on the daily lives of Ilonggos.

Local journalist Rjay Zuriaga Castor delivered a presentation on RPT amid growing public concern over the proposed 300% hike and its potential burden on consumers and businesses.

He explained that basic RPT for land ranges from 1.5% to 2%, while residential idle lands are taxed at 1% to 2%, and agricultural, commercial, and industrial idle lands are taxed at 2% to 3%.

Castor said that despite repeated denials, factual and actual data show that RPT hikes affect inflation and contribute to the rising cost of basic services and amenities.

Elmer Forro, secretary general of BAYAN Panay and lead convenor of the No to PUV Phaseout Coalition (NTPPC) – Panay, tackled the effects of the ELPTRP on drivers, operators, and commuters in Iloilo and the rest of the province.

He said the ELPTRP is designed to phase out traditional jeepneys in favor of imported minibuses operated under cooperatives, effectively privatizing the public transport system.

“We are calling on the city government to review the program [ELPTRP] with the view of suspending it,” Forro said.

The consultation ended with a planning session, during which organizers committed to submit gathered data and recommendations to the Iloilo City Council.

The groups aim to hold a formal dialogue with city officials to raise the concerns of Ilonggo residents.

Photos show Ilonggos participating in a public forum at Hofbauer Hall, St. Clement’s Church, Iloilo City, discussing the impact of local tax and transport policies on daily life. (Photos from Nickholas Lester Hiponia/The Innovator – WVSU CBM)