Years of economic shocks have pushed three Cebu municipalities to back a proposed rollback of provincial taxes, with local officials saying lower tax burdens could provide relief to households and businesses.
The municipal governments of Balamban, Pinamungajan and Barili have formally endorsed former Deputy Speaker and former Cebu 3rd District Representative Pablo John Garcia’s call to reduce real property tax, sand and gravel tax and other provincial levies.
The three municipalities cited the continuing financial difficulties faced by families, businesses and tourism establishments amid rising costs and economic disruptions.
In Balamban, the Municipal Council approved a resolution on Sept. 15 supporting Garcia’s tax-rollback advocacy.
Vice Mayor Alex Francis Binghay and all council members signed the measure.
The resolution called on the Provincial Government to provide tax relief and other assistance to affected sectors, including homeowners, small business owners, investors and tourism establishment operators.
The Barili Municipal Council also backed the proposal through a motion sponsored by Councilor Shelomith Ewican and signed by Vice Mayor Luisito Ponsica and the council members.
The Barili Council said the proposed “Buhis Rollback” would provide relief to residents who may not qualify for existing government aid and subsidies but continue to face high prices and tax burdens.
“Every peso saved by families and businesses through lower taxes is a peso that can be spent on food, education, health, and other basic needs, or reinvested to sustain and grow local enterprises,” the resolution stated.
Meanwhile, the Pinamungajan Municipal Council supported the rollback during its Sept. 7 session.
The resolution was signed by Mayor Glenn Baricuatro, Vice Mayor Ana Jessica Baricuatro and the entire municipal council.
The Pinamungajan government said reducing real property, sand and gravel and other taxes could benefit investors and business owners who contribute to the local economy and provide livelihood opportunities.
“The reduction of these taxes will bring down the cost of doing business and thereby make Cebu more attractive to both local and foreign investors,” the resolution read.
The municipality also cited the challenges faced by tourism establishments, particularly in areas where visitor numbers remain low.
The resolution said the proposed tax reduction would “bring meaningful help to owners of tourism establishments especially in the towns of Cebu where the number of visitors remain low, and where a reduction of taxes will ease operating costs and help sustain their businesses and the jobs they provide during this difficult period.”
Garcia has been calling for tax relief as Cebu residents and businesses continue to deal with the effects of several economic shocks.
He cited the COVID-19 pandemic, Super Typhoon Odette and other typhoons, high inflation, higher fuel and commodity prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East, and rising electricity rates as pressures that have affected Cebuano households and businesses.
Garcia said families and businesses that have already endured these difficulties should not be asked to shoulder additional burdens.
He described the proposed tax rollback as a measure that could give Cebuano families and small businesses more room to manage their expenses and sustain their livelihoods.
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