𝐋𝐆𝐔 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐅 𝐀𝐒 𝐆𝐎𝐕. 𝐏𝐀𝐌 𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐘
Municipal and city treasurers across Cebu are finally getting a much-needed breather from the Capitol after Governor Pamela Baricuatro approved a more lenient policy for the remittance of provincial shares from local tax collections by the local government units (LGUs).
This development came during Gov. Baricuatro’s meeting with members and officials of the Cebu Treasurer’s Association (CETRA), led by its president and San Fernando Municipal Treasurer Edsel Laguda, on December 4 at the Capitol.
Laguda informed the governor that a standing policy issued under the previous Capitol administration requires treasurers to encode daily their collections of taxes where the Province has a share and to transfer these amounts to the provincial account within 48 hours.
Although the system is internet-based, he said the daily reporting and constant follow-ups from the Capitol have become an added burden—often forcing treasurers to work late into the night just to comply.
“Dili lang mi anang 48 hours, Gov., kay pressured kaayo mi. Bisa’g tungang gabii, naa pami didto sa opisina, unya usahay walay internet,” Laguda lamented, noting that December is also the peak season for tax collections.
Recognizing the undue strain this policy has caused, Governor Baricuatro expressed surprise that the matter was not raised sooner.
“Why did it take you five months before you come to me? My goodness!” she exclaimed. She was informed, however, that the meeting had been postponed twice because the governor had to attend to a series of calamities requiring her urgent response.
Provincial Treasurer Atty. Roy Salubre clarified that an official order from the governor is needed to amend the prevailing policy; otherwise, treasurers remain bound to follow it.
Laguda also appealed to Governor Baricuatro for the timely release of the shares of barangays, cities, and municipalities from Capitol-collected taxes—including revenues from sand and gravel operations.
“Last year pa gibayad ang buhis, pero this year pa namo madawat ang among bahin sa LGU,” Laguda said, appealing for the earlier release of their shares as this would greatly help LGUs in their operations and delivery of services.
“Prompt lang unta ang paghatag kay kami prompt man sab mo-remit dinhi,” he added.
Atty. Salubre noted that the existing policy schedules the transmission of Capitol-collected shares to LGUs every six months, but added this may be adjusted to a quarterly basis moving forward.
Governor Baricuatro thanked the treasurers for their tireless dedication to service despite the challenges posed by existing policies, emphasizing that their offices play an essential role in the government’s efforts to deliver better and more efficient services to the people.
“Take care of your health because that is very important. Ayaw mog pa-stress sa work because I know how hard you do your jobs!” she told them. | 𝑪𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒐𝒍 𝑷𝑰𝑶
Check this also: Gov. Pam Baricuatro Pushes for Cebuano OFW-Focused Programs with OWWA
