THE 20th Davao City Council approved on third and final reading the ordinance granting tax amnesty on real property taxes and special levies on real property in accordance with Republic Act (RA) No. 12001, on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Proposed by Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, the ordinance was crafted through the “Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act,” which will strengthen its implementation in the locality.
“Atoa gyud na mahatagan ug authority ang atoang City Treasurer’s Office and likewise the City Assesor’s Office kay sila man ang mag assess arun mao ning pagasundon, guidance na ni mismo sa atoang local government (We will indeed grant authority to our City Treasurer’s Office and likewise the City Assessor’s Office, as they are the ones who will assess which what we will follow. This will be the guide of our local government),” she said in a media interview.
Ortiz, who chairs the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee, explained that penalties and surcharges were imposed on delinquent real property taxpayers. She said that under the national law and the ordinance, taxpayers are given an extension and have the option to pay either in full or through installments. She further mentioned that paying through installments would make it easier for taxpayers to settle their penalties and surcharges.
She said that due to the amnesty, delinquent real property taxpayers would be motivated to settle their obligations. The City Treasurer’s Office expects that, with the amnesty, their collection would be projected to reach P4 billion. Delinquent taxpayers would be given one year starting from the implementation of the ordinance.
“Katong sa atoang mga delinquent taxpayer now is the proper time na ma-settle na nato ang atoang mga delinquencies kay pinaagi aning atoang ordinansa ug atoang national law mahatagan kamo ug lugway ug ingon konsiderasyon (Now is the proper time for our delinquent taxpayers to settle their delinquencies because, through this ordinance and our national law, you will be given an extension and consideration accordingly),” she said.
Covered under the ordinance are the unpaid penalties, surcharges, and interest on real property taxes. This includes the Special Education Fund, idle land tax, and other special levy taxes imposed on real properties in Davao City that were incurred prior to July 5, 2024.
In addition, all applications to avail of the real property tax amnesty must be made at the City Treasurer’s Office after filling out the prescribed application form and paying the subject taxes.
To recall, RA 12001 was signed into law by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on June 13, 2024. The law aims to offer tax amnesty for unpaid real property taxes incurred before July 5, 2024, and will be available until July 5, 2026. RGP
