ANGELES CITY – For the first time in 13 years, the city, under the leadership of Mayor Carmelo ‘Pogi’ Lazatin Jr. has recorded a budget surplus of P192,961,702.95 for 2019.
This came in the heels of Mayor Lazatin’s move to implement sound fiscal management and intensify collection of Business and Real Property Taxes and other taxes, driven by the Business Permit and Licensing Division’s continuous inspection and the City Treasurer Office’s collections.
“The positive revenue collection is evident with the growing confidence of the business sector in our leadership,” Mayor Lazatin said.
Lazatin further reiterated that his administration will keep its promise to be a business-friendly city.
He will not increase business and real property taxes so as not to burden the members of the business sector, Lazatin says.
“For all and sundry, our administration is business friendly. From the start, I have reviewed all ordinances that only serve as mere burden to businessmen in the city,” he added.
The P20 tourism fee being imposed on hotel guests had been repealed and this gained positive reactions from the hotel operators, Lazatin stressed.
As promised, I did not increase business taxes or real property taxes in my term but rather continue to enforce strict and proper collection of taxes to increase the city’s budget, he added.
“Ours is a business-friendly city that continuously holds dialogues with members of the business sectors and make sure their inputs is considered in the determination of business policies,” he said.
