March 29, 2024

To strengthen the implementation of tax measures over properties situated within jurisdiction of Baguio, the city council on Monday has created a task force to work for the cancellation of tax declarations of properties registered in the Municipal Assessor’s Office of Tuba, Benguet but are located within the city and for its rightful registration in the City Assessor’s Office for taxation purposes.
In Resolution 548, s. 2020, the body calls for the rightful registration of the affected properties as the present situation is depriving the city of its tax revenues, continuously creating confusion to affected residents, and it is being used by unscrupulous persons to sell the properties to unsuspecting buyers.
Prior to the resolution, Tuba Municipal Assessor Noel Tomin has confirmed before the city council the properties which are actually located in the city but registered in their tax declaration lists. Nonetheless, he said Tuba Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan fully supports any move for the resolution of the matter for the best interest of both local government units.
The task force shall be chaired by the chairperson of the committee on urban planning, lands and housing; and the City General Services Officer, City Assessor, City Legal Officer, the Municipal Assessor and the Municipal Legal Officer as members.
Meanwhile, the body has set the breakdown of medical assistance for indigent patients at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center in separate resolutions.
In Resolution 546, s. 2020, P5.1 million from the city’s 2020 appropriation was allocated for its use through the office of the mayor – P600,000; vice mayor – P510,000; and councilors – P3,990,000 or P285,000 each for the 14 councilors.
In Resolution 547, s. 2020, the additional medical assistance of P457,090 from the balance of 2019 Appropriation was allocated through the office of the mayor – P28,568; vice mayor – P28,568; and councilors – P399,953 or P28,568 each.
With the fund downloaded and available at the BGHMC, the indigent patients/beneficiaries can now approach the city’s executive and legislative offices to avail of the program.
The body approved Ordinance 136, s. 2020, which sets the celebration of “Employees Summit in the City Government of Baguio” every first week of December.
The summit, which used to be a one-day activity and held every first Friday of December under Ordinance 60, s. 2018, will now be a three-day event for three clusters of employees separately attending their respective scheduled one-day summit to ensure continuous city government services.
The reduced group would also allow every participant ample and convenient time to participate and fully absorb information and updates that are necessary in rendering high level of service.
The ordinance shall cover all city government employees regardless of the status of appointment whether permanent, casual, co-terminus or job order.
A committee that will coordinate the activities of the event shall be chaired by the City Human Resource Management Officer and the chair of the committee on ethics, governmental affairs and personnel as the vice chairperson.
An annual funding of P220,000 was allotted for the event which is part of the City Administrator’s Office’s annual program, projects, and activities.
In Resolution 538, s. 2020, the body expressed support to House Bill 7590 or the Unemployment Benefits Act of 2020.
The bill aims to provide immediate aid to all workers who have lost their jobs, both in public and private sectors, due to the economic restrictions brought by the Covid-2019 pandemic.
Workers include all those who have been involuntarily separated from their occupations in the private sector, government employees, and workers in the informal economy such as street vendors, jeepney drivers, agricultural and fisheries workers, and the like.
The unemployment benefits are in the form of cash based on the aggregated amount of compensation the employees received during the last 36 months preceding their unemployment or had less than 36 months of employment in the amount not lower than P10,000. In cases where the amount for the average monthly compensation falls below the threshold, the Department of Labor and Employment shall augment the said amount to comply with the minimum compensation.