Tax IEC Open Forum in Barangay Azpetia Addresses RPT and Business Permit Concerns

AZPETIA, PROSPERIDAD, AGUSAN DEL SUR, August 12, 2026 – The Municipal Treasury Office (MTO) of the Municipality of Prosperidad continued its Tax Information and Education Campaign (Tax IEC) in Barangay Azpetia, providing residents and taxpayers with essential information on Real Property Tax (RPT), business taxes, permits, and other local tax obligations.

A significant part of the activity was the Open Forum, which gave participants the opportunity to raise actual concerns and seek clarification directly from the concerned personnel. The discussion highlighted practical situations involving property ownership, tax assessment, and business compliance.

One of the concerns raised is about fairness in business permit compliance, noting that some business owners have secured and paid for their permits while other establishments continue to operate without permits. In response, participants were informed about the LGU’s continuing efforts to promote equal compliance among business establishments. This includes the conduct of joint inspections in coordination with the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) and other concerned offices to identify establishments operating without the necessary permits and encourage them to comply with existing requirements.

The open forum also tackled concerns regarding the amount of Real Property Tax imposed on buildings. A participant asked why the tax payable for a building appeared high even though the house itself was perceived to be relatively small. The discussion clarified that the amount of tax due is based on the property’s official assessment and applicable valuation, rather than solely on how large or small a structure may appear. Taxpayers with questions regarding their property assessment were encouraged to have their records verified by the concerned LGU office.

Through these open discussions, the Tax IEC provides taxpayers with a better understanding of how local taxation works while giving the Municipal Treasury Office valuable insight into the concerns encountered by residents at the barangay level.

The Municipal Treasury Office remains committed to bringing tax information closer to the people and promoting awareness, transparency, fairness, and voluntary tax compliance. Through continuous information and education campaigns across the barangays of Prosperidad, the LGU seeks to strengthen cooperation between the government and taxpayers toward improved revenue collection and better public services.

An informed taxpayer is an empowered partner in building a more progressive and prosperous Prosperidad.