ANGELES CITY — The city government here under the leadership of Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. is one of the top 10 performing cities in the country in terms of collection efficiency of Locally Sourced Revenues.
Angeles City placed 6th with 130.9% collection efficiency, according to Memorandum Circular no. 031-2021 of the Bureau of Local Government Finance.
In the released memorandum, the LSR collections of Angeles City is ₱1.413 million, surpassing the target of ₱1.080 million.
Mayor Lazatin accredited this milestone to the hardworking efforts and dedication of the City Treasurer’s Office led by Juliet Quinsaat.
Lazatin said that as promised, he will not increase the business tax and Real Property Tax, instead will enforce strict and proper collection to increase the city’s budget especially for social services.
“Ang atin pong paniniwala, hindi po kailangang magtaas ng kolekta sa buwis, we just need the enforcement of strict and proper collection,” Lazatin added.
Quinsaat said Angeles City is proud, sharing that this award has been consistent since the stint of Mayor Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin.
“We are proud that the BLGF is recognizing our efforts, and we are also thanking them for always technically assisting the city,” Quinsaat told.
According to Quinsaat, with the award given, it means that the city is not primarily dependent on the national taxes allocation, because it can stand alone through its efficient collections.
“Dahil LSR ito, ibig sabihin, ang city ay hindi dependent lang sa allocation ng national taxes o yung tinatawag na IRA,” she explained.
“This means that with the efficient collections, we can stand alone,” Quinsaat said.
The collective efforts of the revenue generating offices (City Assessor’s Office and Business Permit and Licensing Division) with the collection strategy and innovation being implemented under the leadership of Mayor Lazatin with his Chief Adviser IC Calaguas, such as the online payment of RPT, and soon the business tax, are empowerment and motivation despite the economic challenges of the pandemic.
“This award is very special as it is being given in the time of the pandemic when everyone is struggling economically,” she added.
“As we all know especially for businesses, that despite challenges brought to them due to the pandemic, they are still encouraged to pay taxes,” Quinsaat said.
Meanwhile, Quinsaat also cited the staff of the City Treasurer’s Office saying this is a “manifestation of the office value of customer care meeting the transacting public for prompt facilitating and pleasant contribution to the various projects of the city government, being a lifeblood of the government operations.”
Quinsaat added that this award will be one of the most cherished memories of her career, as it came at the time of her retirement in government service.
“It is for me, another affirmation of my dedication to the service and a validation that as a leader, I am able to rise up to the challenge,” she said.
