Magsaysay to reduce fees and taxes by 30%
Olongapo City --- LAKAS-Kampi mayoralty bet Vicente Magsaysay outlined his program to reduce business costs by 30% to spur re-investment, increase employment and encourage entrepreneurship.
He also vowed to modernize the road system, reduce power rates, and provide free titling to ease the impact of the economic downturn by lowering costs and giving access to capital.
'Babawasan ko ng 30% ng taxes and fees, dahil ngayon sa kurakot lang naman ito napupunta,' Magsaysay told some 100 teachers and scores of student leaders here yesterday.
The Philpost Bank chairman and former Zambales governor believes that lower business costs, coupled with a mass land titling program, will mean more employment, more re-investment and spur consumer spending. (Read more)
‘To date, less than 10% of the properties in the city are titled. A genuine free mass titling program means more capital for businessmen and will encourage entrepreneurship,’ he added.
The candidates’ fora, held Kong's Restaurant, the city's oldest establishment, was sponsored by the Columban College Faculty Association (CCFA), the Student Council and several other organizations.
'I will also remove the garbage fee. This will automatically increase the family’s net income. Garbage collection is a city responsibility. It should be free,' Magsaysay said.
Olongapo City is the only LGU in the country that tacks a garbage fee of P55 to P300 to the power bill.
‘A modern city cannot continue to use a power distribution infrastructure that is almost 50 years old,’ Magsyasay explained, ‘US Navy days ang mga iyan. Hindi na nila na-upgrade, ang laki pa ng utang natin.'
According to National Power Corporation (NPC) records the city owes some P1.7 billion in generation charges as of December, 2009.
Magsaysay added that the city's infrastructure is crumbling to pieces. ‘Except for the national roads, the internal road network of the city is dilapidated. It is not safe and adds burden to transport groups and commuters alike.'
Asked by teachers how he intends to improve education, Magsaysay said that the he will funnel more resources for education.
'Do you know that right now, some P180 million is allocated for the office of the city mayor. This is simply too extravagant for a city saddled with a P2.5 billion debt,' he revealed. ‘Social services like education and infrastructure development must get the lion’s share of the budget.’
‘The city government must rationalize spending, generate economic activities, and modernize its infrastructure if we are to provide a better quality of life to our people,’ Magsaysay said. (30)
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