Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella expressed optimism that the issue over the new Tax Ordinance could be resolved if all parties only meet and find a solution.

 “The matter will be resolved and there is even no need to go to Court,” Puentevella said.

Regional Trial Court Judge Fernando Elumba of Branch 42 has reset the hearing on the civil case filed by the Chamber of Real Estate Builder’s Association and Subdivision Housing Developers Association-Negros Occidental chapters against the City of Bacolod et al over the new Real Property Tax Code next week after Puentevella met with the businessmen Wednesday for a possible compromise agreement.

CREBA and SHDA had filed a  civil case against the City of Bacolod et al to declare null and void C.O. No. 08-14-700, that updates the schedule of land valuation and real property in the city. They also sought the issuance of a temporary restraining order, calling it “unconstitutional, unlawful, oppressive, excessive and confiscatory.”

Puentevella said communication is the best remedy. “They listened to our side while we also listened to theirs. Each party has a different interpretation of the law, so we have to sit down and listen to each other,” he said.

He said the businessmen will visit the City Assessor ‘s Office and see how much they have to pay and find out if the city’s interpretation of the law is correct.

Puentevella said both parties believe that they have very strong stand. Now that they have talked to each other, there is a good chance that they will be able to come up with a solution.

 The important thing is that the city will be benefitted because the more taxes that will come in, the more services it could provide, he said.

Earlier, the businessmen, had revealed that the initial request of the city was for them to withdraw the case but they did not agree.

SHDA president Kenneth Tirthdas confirmed that they met with the mayor and his staff Wednesday and  agreed, in the meantime, to hold in abeyance the hearing of the case because they are willing to sit down, study and amend whatever is not prudent in the schedule of fair market value. 

Tirthdas said they asked for a one-month moratorium on the hearing but if in one month’s time they could not see any improvement, or they cannot see eye to eye, they will proceed with the hearing and let the Court decide on the issue.*CGS

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