The supposed public auction of real properties owned by delinquent taxpayers in Aborlan town was aborted due to the payment made by its owner prior to the scheduled auction.
The provincial government of Palawan set the public auction on July 5, 2019 but it was not pushed through since the subject properties with delinquencies were settled by its owners, including its arrears, interest and penalties.
There are 29 properties owned by delinquent taxpayers in Aborlan town. There are already 15 bidders who registered at the Provincial Treasurer’s Office for the purpose. Some of them came from Davao, Cavite, Makati City and Quezon City while there are also bidders from Palawan.
One month prior to the auction, the Notice of Sale of subject properties were already posted in conspicuous public places. It was also posted by the Provincial Information Office’s page in social media and broadcasted through various local radio program.
Provincial Treasurer Elino Mondragon said that their strategy was proven effective since after the conduct of their information campaign, substantial number of land owners visited the Municipal Treasurer’s Office of Aborlan to pay their tax delinquencies.
Mondragon also acted as the chairman of the Auction Committee, and upon knowing that majority of the 29 real properties were settled, he declared that there will be no auction, but rather give a chance to remaining unsettled properties.
He further said that it was the desire of the provincial government to intensify its collection of taxes to improve and enhance the delivery of basic social services to the people of Palawan.
“Lubos ang kasiyahan ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan sa pamumuno ni Gob. Jose Ch. Alavarez sa nangyari dahil ang hangad ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ay makolekta ang buwis. Nais ng kanyang administrasyon na mapalakas ang pangongolekta ng buwis upang mas marami pang serbisyo ang maipagkakaloob sa mamamayan at maraming imprastraktura ang maisasakatuparan tulad ng mga kalsada, tulay, paaralan, pagamutan at proyektong tubig na siyang mga paunahing kinakailangan sa ika-uunlad ng isang bayan,” a statement from the Provincial Government of Palawan issued on July 11, 2019 read.