Koronadal City, South Cotabato -The payment of real property taxes in South Cotabato continues to translate into tangible benefits for residents, as Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. ensures that the two percent (2%) tax paid on declared real property is returned to the people through education support and other priority government programs.
According to the Provincial Assessor’s Office, the two percent tax collected from declared real properties is allocated directly to programs that benefit communities across the province.
Of this amount, one percent (1%) is earmarked for the Special Education Fund (SEF), which supports free education and various initiatives aimed at improving the quality of learning in public schools.
The remaining one percent (1%) is channeled to other provincial programs and services that address the needs of South Cotabateños.
Provincial Assessor Engr. Ritchie A. Ballesta emphasized that declaring real property is not only a legal obligation of property owners but also a vital contribution to local development.
He urged residents to declare their properties to ensure proper documentation, fair assessment, and accurate valuation.
“Ang pagbabayad ng buwis ay hindi lang basta obligasyon. Ito ay bumabalik sa ating mga mamamayan sa anyo ng edukasyon at serbisyong panlalawigan,” Ballesta said, noting that Governor Tamayo’s administration prioritizes transparency and the proper utilization of public funds.
Ballesta explained that there are three types of real properties that should be declared with the Provincial Assessor’s Office.
These include land, improvements such as houses, buildings, or any infrastructure constructed on the land, and machinery. Each of these is subject to assessment based on standardized computations and classifications set by existing laws and guidelines.
The declaration of real property is also crucial in securing a tax declaration, a key document required for several legal transactions.
These include the titling of lands that are not yet titled and the transfer of ownership for properties with existing titles. Without a tax declaration, property owners may face difficulties in processing legal documents related to their assets.
The Provincial Assessor’s Office plays a central role in determining the market value of properties through standardized assessment methods.
“This assessed value serves as the basis for the amount paid by taxpayers to the Provincial Treasurer’s Office,” he said.
Ballesta assured the public that these computations follow established standards to ensure fairness and accuracy in taxation.
Governor Tamayo’s policy of returning the value of taxes to the people highlights the administration’s commitment to responsible governance.
“Through the Special Education Fund, thousands of learners benefit from improved schoolfacilities, educational programs, and other learning interventions,” Ballesta stressed.
Meanwhile, funds allocated to other programs support various initiatives that contribute to social services, infrastructure development, and community welfare.
Provincial officials continue to encourage residents to comply with real property declaration requirements, stressing that doing so strengthens the province’s capacity to deliver essential services.
The provincial government reiterated that every peso collected is reinvested to improve the quality of life of South Cotabateños.
