The Dumaguete City government is expecting to receive not less than P22 million as its share from the Internal Revenue Allotment withheld by the national government from 2000 to 2001.

In the meantime, Mayor Agustin Perdices said, he will have to discuss with the Sangguniang Panlungsod the system to be adopted to get the share, based on the recommendations of the national government.

The national government had recommended that the withheld funds be released either by monetization or by withdrawing the whole amount, less 30 percent interest. Perdices stressed the need to discuss the system with the SP members as the move involves public funds.

The mayor said the city government will use P14 million of the released funds to pay the mandated P1,000 Assistance Compensation Allowance for its employees.

Perdices added that the Mayors' League will also negotiate with the national government for the payment of interest of the withheld IRA, and not altogether leave it up to local government units.* RG

back to top