The Office of the Provincial Treasurer (OPT) of Palawan declared thirty-seven (37) real properties in Busuanga and Coron forfeited during a public auction sale held on May 15 and 16, 2024.
The properties are located in various barangays including Bogtong, Buluang, Cheey, Concepcion, New Busuanga, Sagrada, and Sto. Niño in Busuanga, as well as Decabobo, Decalachao, Guadalupe, Poblacion 4, and Poblacion 6 in Coron, consist of both agricultural and residential lands.
The auction was led by Provincial Treasurer Elino P. Mondragon, who also serves as the Chairman of the Provincial Committee on Public Auction. He was joined by committee members, Provincial Assessor Euvica M. Colbe, Provincial General Services Office OIC Mercy M. Bontao, Atty. Mary Joy O. Cascara from the Provincial Legal Office, and the committee secretariat.
The properties were auctioned due to the owners’ failure to pay the corresponding taxes, penalties, and interest before the auction date. Under Sec. 263 of R.A. 7160, if no bidders come forward during the auction, the properties become government-owned.
Property owners still have a chance to reclaim their properties by paying the total amount of real property tax, interest, and cost of sale within one year from the issuance of the declaration of forfeiture. If not paid within this period, the properties will permanently belong to the provincial government.
Provincial Treasurer Mondragon urges property owners to pay their real property taxes promptly to avoid forfeiture. The payment deadline for the second quarter of the year is from April 1 to June 30, 2024.