Mayor urges support for
new revenue code
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday appealed for the cooperation of the business sector in implementation of the new Revenue Code of Bacolod, given the existing circumstances of the city.

Leonardia said there is more reason for them to increase taxes because of the “double whammy” that is going to hit the city that will result in the reduction of its budget by P78 million.

The reduction in the Internal Revenue share and the conversion of 16 municipalities into cities is enough to upset the programs and projects of Bacolod for this year, he said.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday said he is pushing for the privatization of garbage collection in Bacolod City because he believes that it is a step towards the right direction.

He also said he is hopeful the privatization could start by January but as with all similar government transactions this will have to undergo the bidding process and may take time, he said.

“The way I see it, the earliest we could have one is in the first quarter of next year, and that is, if this will have the support of our officials,” he added.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday said he has asked Philippine National Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome to help by donating additional patrol cars for the city police stations.

Leonardia said he has already written to Bartolome informing him about the inadequacy of patrol cars of the Bacolod City police, and is also set to discuss this with the PNP chief during his visit to the city on Friday.

The mayor said that while the city government is helping the Bacolod police in acquiring patrol cars, the PNP should also donate vehicles to be utilized as patrol cars.