Real property tax hike in ‘21 seen

July 18, 2020 Metro BLISTT

After two long decades, a “slight tweak”. City Assessor Maria Almaya C. Adawe, July 13, said the Baguio City government shall be implementing Ordinance No. 16, Series of 2020 revising the schedule of market values for real property in 2021.
This, after twenty years of public consultations and revisions paving way for the City Council approval of the city’s new tax measure last February 3. Despite the revised schedule of market values however, Adawe said Ordinance No. 16, Series of 2020 affects only lands.
The schedule of market values for buildings under Ordinance No. 101, series of 1995; and, the assessment levels for buildings and machineries under Tax Ordinance No. 2000-001 remain.
Section 219 of the Local Government Code of 1991 provides, “The provincial, city or municipal assessor shall undertake a general revision of real property assessments within
two (2) years after the effectivity of [the Code] an every three (3) years thereafter.”
Still, Adawe said implementation of the increase in taxes shall be staggered over a 2-year period, such that, 70-percent of the increase will be applied in 2021 while the balance of 30- percent will be applied in 2022.
Under Ordinance No. 16, lands shall be valued according to the approved schedule of market values; and, assessed on the basis of actual use. On one hand, lands used for more than one purpose shall be assessed on the basis of its principal use. On the other hand, recreational lots shall be assessed as commercial.
Dexter A. See