By Jezza A. Nepomoceno

A total of P508,000 in prize money was awarded to Iloilo municipalities with the highest tax revenue in 2016 during a ceremony yesterday at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.
The town of Sta. Barbara topped realty tax collection in category A; Banate took realty tax collection in category B; Bingawan was recognized for prompt remittance of provincial tax shares; Estancia was awarded for tax record management; and Pavia was recognized for collection of annual fixed tax on delivery trucks and vans.
The maximum prize was P15,000.
Additionally, the town of San Enrique was given both a special award for the most active municipality in the conduct of real property tax (RPT) campaigns in barangays and their RPT focal person Belinda Baban was recognized for most active focal person, alongside Nanette Dable of Mina.
The town of Oton also won the Hall of Fame Award for tax records management.
Meanwhile, plaques of recognition were awarded to the top RPT and business taxpayers.
Coca-Cola Bottlers FEMSA Philippines, Inc., based in Pavia, topped among businesses with P9.9 million. 8990 Housing Development Corp., also based in Pavia, came in second at 5.3 million.
For RPT payers, San Buena Integrated Farm, Inc. of Banate topped the list with P5.3 million./WDJ