Sarangani sets 6-month moratorium on tax payments

THE PROVINCIAL government of Sarangani has implemented a six-month moratorium on the payment of local taxes due to the continuing threats posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.  

Sarangani Vice Governor Elmer de Peralta said Friday the move aims to give residents and business entities enough time to recover from the impact of the ongoing modified enhanced community quarantine in the province.

He said it was based on a resolution passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan or provincial board last April 16 and approved by Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon on April 20.

Resolution 2020-10-052 provided for the extension of the moratorium on the payment of business and real property taxes for the current year until September 30.

Under the resolution, de Peralta said no penalties and surcharges would be imposed on all tax payments until September 30.

However, he said, this does not cover businesses that failed to settle their tax dues during the annual application and renewal of permits last January.

The tax payments “will resume on October 1 onwards,” he added.

De Peralta acknowledged that the quarantine measures, especially the movement restrictions, have affected the livelihood of residents in all seven municipalities of the province.

Farmers have not been able to properly attend to their crops while the operations of most local businesses had stopped due to the situation, he said.

“We saw the difficulties faced by the people so we decided, in consultation with the governor, to extend the period for payment of taxes,” he told reporters.

De Peralta said the measure aligned with Section 17 of the Local Government Code or Republic Act 7160, which provides that the provincial board may “for justifiable reason or cause, extend the payment of such taxes, fees or charges without surcharges or penalties but only for a period not exceeding six months.”

“This is to lighten the burden of our constituents at this time of crisis. Extending the time of tax payments is one way of cushioning the economic impact (on) affected residents,” he said. (By Richelyn Gubalani)