ANTIQUE — The Provincial Government of Antique is eyeing an increase in real property taxes (RPT) as it moves to comply with provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991 requiring regular revisions of property assessments.
Provincial Assessor Atty. Silvestre Untaran III confirmed the planned adjustment during a public hearing on the proposed Schedule of Market Values (SMV) held on March 4 at the EBJ Gymnasium of the Binirayan Sports Complex in this capital town.
“Mataas bala ang tax natun? The answer is yes,” Untaran said, explaining that the increase will result from the long-delayed revision of real property assessments mandated by law every three years.
Untaran said many local government units (LGUs) in the province failed to strictly follow the provision of the Local Government Code requiring regular general revisions of property values.
According to him, Antique conducted general revisions of real property assessments only in 2010 and 2022, leaving a 12-year gap between updates. Some municipalities, he added, have not revised their RPT in as long as 15 years.
Because of these delays, the national government enacted the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA) or Republic Act 12001, which aims to standardize and modernize property valuation nationwide under the supervision of the Department of Finance (DOF).
Untaran also noted that adjustments in municipal classification may further affect real property tax rates in some areas.
Gov. Paolo Javier said the province relies heavily on RPT as a primary source of income to fund development programs and essential services.
He assured taxpayers that the revenue generated will be used to support priority projects in barangays and improve public services, including hospitals.
“Ang mga buwis ginagamit man ra sa atun mga mehora, mga projects. Rugya sa Antique, nagabayad kaw man ka buwis siyempre in return maubra kami kang mga priority projects sa inyo mga barangay,” Javier said.
The Office of the Provincial Assessor will submit the proposed SMV to the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) under the DOF for review before it can be adopted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for implementation.
Another public hearing on the proposed revision is scheduled on March 12 at the Culasi Grandstand for residents and stakeholders from northern Antique towns. Authorities are encouraging landowners, taxpayers, and concerned agencies to attend the consultation./PN
