Local government units all over the country are expected to pass resolutions supporting a House bill that provides for the automatic release of the 40 percent share of LGUs from the collection from mining taxes, royalties, forestry and fishery charges, and other fees.

Provincial mining and regulatory boards throughout Central Visayas have unanimously endorsed and passed resolutions adopting House Bill No. 1445 authored by Reps. Mauricio Domogan and Samuel Dangwa.

The bill seeks to amend Section 290 of Republic Act 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, which has no provision for the automatic release of taxes for the LGUs.

In an interview, Roger de Dios, chairman of the Provincial Mining and Regulatory Boards of Oriental Negros, Siquijor, Bohol and Cebu, said local government units want to get their share of the taxes due them directly.

The resolution states that the national government is not up-to-date in paying and remitting to the LGUs their corresponding share of the mining taxes, forestry, fishery charges and fees.

This situation has caused a great disadvantage to the LGUs which are deprived, at the earliest opportunity, of the use and utilization of the proceeds of their share, it added. If implemented, the release of the share will boost the capability of LGUs in undertaking their priority projects and programs.

Provincial legal officer Erwin Vergara said Domogan knows the sentiment of LGUs, being a former mayor himself.

In the present dispensation, LGUs are like beggars, they have to beg before getting their share, he lamented.*JG

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