Tax on utility poles eyed in Bacolod

June 8, 2023

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has passed on first reading an ordinance imposing a Mayor’s Permit fee on electric and/or telecommunication poles/posts owned by public utility companies erected on government/private lots using government streets, roads, highways and/or alleys at the rate of P500 per post per year.

Authored by Councilors Vladimir Gonzalez and Renecito Novero, the ordinance said electric and/or telecommunication poles, posts, and towers sprouting everywhere in Bacolod City pose a hazard to traffic and public safety if they are not well maintained.

These also detract from the city’s panorama or skyline. (https://tinyurl.com/3tw4jh83)

Citing the Local Government Code, the proposal said the city government is authorized to impose regulatory fees and charges for activities and undertakings carried out in the city.

It provides that the City Engineer should conduct a regular inventory of all electric and telecommunication poles, posts and towers in the city, indicating the respective owners, and submit the same to the City Treasurer for purposes of imposing the fee under this ordinance.

Those who will be found violating the provisions of this ordinance will suffer the following fines and penalties: a fine of P500 for first offense; P1,000 for second offense; and P2,000 for third offense; and a fine of P4,000 or imprisonment of not more than one month, or both such fine and imprisonment upon the discretion of the court.