By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Economic Enterprises Development Division (EEDD) of the provincial government of Negros Occidental is seeking to hike taxes and permit and transaction fees.

EEDD has already forwarded the proposal to the offices of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz.

In a radio interview yesterday morning, Diaz said the last time there had been amendments made to the Provincial Revenue Code was back in 2017 and was approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).

Diaz pointed out that it is time that amendments should be made again with the Provincial Revenue Code, wherein proposals are being made to hike the rents paid to the EEDD-run establishments such as the Cyber Center, Mambukal Resort and Negros Residences.

Taxes, permits and other fees being collected through transactions by the province would also be covered in the proposed increase.

The first part of the proposed 2022 Tax Revenue has already undergone a series of hearings before the SP led by the Provincial Treasurer’s Office.

The proposals have been forwarded to Lacson and once he approved it, the new rates would be imposed by next year./DGB, WDJ