Relief may soon come for property owners as the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Iloilo approved on second reading a measure seeking to suspend the implementation of the Real Property Tax (RPT) increase scheduled for 2026 and 2028.
The proposal, endorsed by the Committee on Ways and Means chaired by Board Member Mondejar, was deliberated during the SP’s 16th regular session on October 14, 2025.
Co-authors include Board Members Germinanda and Tupas, alongside representatives from the Provincial Assessor’s Office, Provincial Treasurer’s Office, League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)–Iloilo, and the League of Municipal Assessors.
The measure aims to defer the enforcement of Provincial Ordinance No. 2024-039, which set a staggered RPT adjustment beginning January 2026, with another increase planned for 2028.
In a radio interview, Board Member Mondejar said their review revealed that the upcoming increases under the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA) could be burdensome and inequitable for many taxpayers, prompting the committee to recommend a suspension.
“The proposed hikes might strain households and small property owners still recovering economically,” Mondejar noted, stressing that the suspension ensures fairness and fiscal balance.
The Provincial Treasurer’s Office has also clarified that the province’s revenue will remain stable despite the proposed suspension, assuring that essential services and programs will not be affected.
Earlier, during the Municipal Assessors’ Meeting on September 22, 2025, concerns were raised over data accuracy, target attainment, and preservation of assessment record integrity—issues that further supported the SP’s cautious stance.
The proposed ordinance is expected to be approved on third and final reading during the next SP session on October 21, 2025.
If passed, the move will serve as a temporary relief measure for property owners while allowing the provincial government to reassess valuation methods and ensure transparency in tax implementation.IMT
