The Office of the City Mayor has recorded an increase of 253.24 percent in real property tax collection, and boosted collection also of other local taxes by 134.75 percent.
Records obtained by MindaNews show that the city posted P45.92 million in its annual real property tax collection last year, more than twice from the previous year’s collection of only P18.13 million.
Other local taxes, consisting of business, franchise and other permits, posted P43.41 million last year, or one and a half fold from what it collected in 2007 of only P32.215 million.
Mayor Rodolfo Gantuangco said the big chunk of real property tax collection came from the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) of the Philippine National Oil Co., which has started paying its long-overdue tax last year.
He considered this "one big leap" in terms of the city's growing economy.
The DoF-12 has recognized Kidapawan City as one of the most outstanding local government units in Region 12 that registered at least a hundred percent increase in real property tax collections.
Because of its impressive performance in 2008, the city LGU will receive a special award from the Department of Finance during the 1st Quarter Regional Conference of the Annual General Assembly of Treasurers and Assessors from Region 12.
The awarding is set on February 26 in Davao City.
"The city has accomplished well beyond its target in 2008," said Gantuangco.
In 2008, a survey done by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) showed the city, the capital of North Cotabato, bested all cities in Mindanao, including Davao City, with a poverty rate of only 12.46 percent. (Malu Cadelina Manar / MindaNews)