Several city councilors are mulling to auction off real properties owned by delinquent taxpayers who have not been able to settle taxes for long periods of time.

This, after the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) pushed for the approval of an ordinance which would create the city auction sale committee or “The City Auction Sale Ordinance of 2016.”

The ordinance was authored by Councilor Joseph Bompat, chair of the city SP’s ways and means committee.

Approval of the ordinance would allow members of the new committee to oversee the auction of real properties of delinquent taxpayers.

Based on Section 178 and 269 of RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, the provincial, city or municipal government can auction off real properties whose owners failed to settle taxes or those already abandoned.

The plan to conduct the auction was considered primarily to give new owners the opportunity to develop real properties that have been abandoned or not utilized, according to some councilors.

City councilors have pointed out that there are several real properties in the city whose owners have not been paying taxes or which have already been abandoned.

However, Councilor Dodong Gonzaga said that the SP will first conduct a thorough study on the proposed measure and a public hearing to find out if the plan would gain public support. (Allen Doydora)

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