Stay away from fixers, Quezon City gov’t tells taxpayers

The Quezon City government has warned taxpayers not to deal with fixers who still abound despite efforts to eradicate them, according to the city’s top executive.

Mayor Herbert Bautista said he had ordered the deployment of more security personnel and uniformed policemen inside and outside the city hall compound to protect taxpayers from fixers who promise to speed up the payment system in exchange for a fee.

Bautista added that he had directed the Department of Public Order and Safety headed by former Quezon City Police District director Elmo San Diego, in cooperation with the city police, to assign more personnel at city hall, particularly near the offices which receive payments for business and real property taxes.

“Taxpayers need protection during payment of business and real property taxes because some of them might be tempted to deal with fixers just to avoid the long queues,” he said.

Bautista further said that since 2005, the city government has banned fixers within the vicinity of government offices in the city as mandated by an ordinance.

Violators of the ordinance face a fine of P5,000 or a year ofimprisonment or both, based on the discretion of the court.

Bautista said that for taxpayers whose tax accountabilities may reach more than P1 million, the city has put up a lounge exclusively for members of the so-called “Millionaires’ Club” where they can relax as they wait for the processing of their payments.

According to the mayor, the city government is implementing a stricter policy in the collection of real property taxes this year.

City treasurer Edgar Villanueva said that real property taxpayers should settle their obligations—not just the lot but also for the improvements built on the property.

In previous years, Villanueva said that real property taxpayers could pay only for the land or improvements done on the property.

“But this year, all tax obligations should be paid before the issuance of a tax clearance,” he explained.

Villanueva also said they plan to intensify their drive against delinquent taxpayers.

“We have added personnel to the delinquency section for the preparation of notices of delinquency, as well as delivery boys who will be tasked to deliver notices of assessment,” he added.