PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has formed another task force, this time with a marching order to boost revenues required to address the country’s need for funds to enable the government to buy what is needed to contain the continuing onslaught of the global pandemic.
In creating an inter-agency group, Duterte specifically directed the Department of Finance to take the lead in the effort enabling local government units to generate more revenues through real property taxes.
Under Administrative Order (AO) 40, Duterte formed an Inter-agency Governing Board with a marching order to ensure successful implementation of the Local Government Reform Project (LGRP).
“To ensure the successful implementation of the LGRP, and as part of its implementing arrangements, there is a need to convene an inter-agency body that will set the policy direction of the project, and ensure proper complementation, cooperation, and coordination of executive and implementing agencies,” he wrote in his order.
Other directives for the task force include:
- Ensuring the attainment of the LGRP’s major outputs, as well as implement property tax valuation database and information systems,
- To oversee LGRP’s activities and monitor compliance of implementing agencies with respect to their commitments and deliverables.
The AO specifically directed Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez as chairman of the board, while representatives from the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Budget and Management, and Department of the Interior and Local Government would serve as members.
Similarly named part of the task force includes representatives from the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and Bureau of Local Government Finance. Local government leagues of provinces, cities and municipalities will also be sending one representative each. One board seat each has also been reserved for non-government organizations and the private sector.
The task force would be operating using funds allocated for the LGRP.