Efficient tax collection

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Kudos to the Negros Oriental officials and the German Development Cooperation for the successful two-day international conference on local government financing, specifically on the iTAX as a modern computer-based tax assessment and collection tool.

The Negros version of iTAX is a modern computer-based tax assessment and collection system for all Local Government Units in the Philippines . It answers the specific needs of the municipality, city assessors and treasurers and involves all functions like payment and collection, assessment and tax mapping.

Good governance is crucial in strengthening the government to achieve economic, social and political development for its citizens.

There is a high amount of taxation power in the local government, which is still untapped. Perhaps this system's functions may create transparency in the administration for efficiency and effective tax collection in the future.

We believe that the computer-based system iTAX and the revision of business processes will help the LGUs improve the understanding for tax collection, to organize computer generated tax mapping activities, to calculate taxes and non-taxable revenues, and to deliver a clear calculation bases for budget planning.

After all, good governance needs sufficient income. It is only with sufficient income that the government is able to fulfill the economic, social and political targets for the welfare of its people.*