The Bacolod Sanguniang Panlungsod oversight committee created to evaluate and make recommendations in relation to the implementation of City Ordinance No. 08-14-700, met yesterday to lay down the ground rules and procedures for its members  in  their oversight function.

 C.O. 08-14-700 is an “Ordinance updating the schedule of market value of real properties in the City of Bacolod.”

The committee was created through a resolution authored by Bacolod Councilor Archie Baribar, who serves as its chairman, and is composed of other lawyer members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, namely Councilors Sonya Verdeflor, Caesar Distrito, Ana Marie Palermo and Jocelle Batapa-Sigue.

Verdeflor said Councilors El Cid Familiaran and Wilson Gamboa Jr. have also volunteered, while Councilor Em Ang will serve as an observer.

Only Baribar, Ang, Distrito and Gamboa attended the meeting yesterday as other councilors had other meetings and committee conferences.

Distrito said they will check all the data, complaints and computations regarding C.O. 08-14-700 and will meet again next week.

Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya said the committee was created because of the many complaints received by the council against  the tax ordinance.

"We need to validate if indeed the implementation has reflected on the real intent and purpose of the city ordinance. The Committee will be required to come up with a recommendation within 10 days," he said.

Bacolod City officials are now facing several court cases in connection with the passage of C.O. 08-14-700.

Aside from the petition for certiorari with prayer for temporary restraining order asking the Court to prohibit the enforcement of C.O. 08-14-700, to declare it null and void, and render it unconstitutional, filed by Bacolod Rep. Evelio Leonardia, et al, with the Regional Trial Court, a petition was also filed by the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corporation before the Department of Justice questioning the validity and legality of the new Tax Ordinance.

The Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations, and the Subdivision and Housing  Developers’ Association, Negros Occidental chapters, also filed a civil case for the declaration of nullity of C.O. 08-14-700 with prayer for the issuance of TRO.

Proxima Centauri Realty and Development Corporation, owner and developer of the Valley of Peace Memorial Park, also filed a petition for review asking the DOJ to declare C.O. 08-14-700 null and void for failure to observe the requirements of the Local Government Code.

Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Panlungsod approved Wednesday an ordinance extending the deadline of the filing of application for business permits and licenses and payment on fees and taxes to February 28, 2015, without surcharges and penalties.*CGS

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