Now, from the light and delightful to the more serious but vexing stuff.

 I said I will check first if the report by Xerxes of a 100 percent increase in the Real property tax (RPT) is true before I give my comment. Besides, being from the other side of the political fence, any objection or criticism will be seen as a reflex action on my part. On the other hand, even as a plain citizen I have a right and even an obligation to voice my opinion or objection, provided they have basis and my position is well reasoned out.

Well, I checked my order of tax payment, and it is true. A 100 per cent increase! Second, it is also the case  in the other towns. That means the order came from the Capitol, and was relayed to the Municipal treasurer municipal assessor for implementation. That explains why the deafening silence from our newly elected Councilors. They don't know anything about it! But no one could raise a howl. Does the Provincial Government have the power to do it? Maybe they have. But it would have been better if they first conducted an honest to goodness public hearing before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) approved a resolution for the 100 percent increase. If there was any hearing, may we know who were invited, where it was held, and who attended? I opened the 1bataan.com and the bataan.gov.ph but there was not even a mention of the increase. 2. If it is true that there has been no increase imposed over the last 13 years, the reason was probably the previous SP saw that the people could not afford any increase. The question now is can the people afford an increase now, especially a 100 per cent increase? I heard we can expect another round of 100 per cent increase over the next 2 years because they really wanted a 300 per cent increase but settled in the meantime for 100 percent. I will be glad if this is denied by the Capitol or any of the present Provincial Board members and my informant s proven wrong. But the Capitol or the SP had been silent, and no one wants to come out. Can we find out the vote of each SP member. Who is the Chairman of the Ways and Means? Is it true that this was forced on them? By whom? But I know that the power to impose or increase taxes (anything that has to do with raising revenues) belongs to the Legislative, whether in the National or Local Government. 3. why has the lowest unit of Government, the municipal government, and specifically the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) been ignored. They are the closest to the people. Aren't the citizens being taxed without representation? Shouldn't there have been public hearings  at the municipal level? Maybe they will insist that it is not required, but is it not  proper that it be done ? But the fact that the SP had been ignored and they remained silent on a serious matter such as this, then what did we elect them and paying them for? Note that I am always referring to the SP because it is useless to direct the question to the proclaimed Mayor, in view of her relation to the Governor. 4. what was the purpose of the increase? So that the IRA for the province will increase? For what use? I heard that they have to pay for the already constructed or ongoing construction of school buildings. But school buildings are the responsibility of the National Government. We were able to build in Dinalupihan (not counting the other towns), 3 HS buildings (Pagalanggang, Luacan, JCPayumo) and a college (Bataan State College, precursor to the BPSU) and 7 concrete two story Gabaldon ES buildings (Pagalanggang, New San Jose, Central, San Ramon, Luacan, Saguing, Colo), expanded and built additional classrooms,  without having the Provincial government or Municipal government paying for them. We got them from ESF or Mt Pinatubo Funds or the DPWH.(Sipag lang Kailangan). School buildings are  unlike public markets or fishing ports or slaughterhouses that earn revenues and can pay for the loan. But public schools are free and do not earn money.  Btw, were these bid out and built without any certification of clear source of funds? 5. Is the objective also to be able to increase the Province's loan or to borrow again? What was the loan of the Provincial Government when Gov Roman left? P68 million? used for the Provincial terminal in Balanga. It was already a big issue then. But the subsequent provincial Administration borrowed approx. P1.2 B. What were they used for? How much balance is left? P900 million? Is it true another P200 m loan was taken backed by the IRA? And again another P200 m backed by the Educational fund? 6.  Is it true that the Dinalupihan Municipal Government plans to or is applying to borrow P500 m from the DBP? I will be glad if this is denied and I am proven wrong. Because the previous municipal administration left only a P28 m loan which was used for the repair and improvement of the public market. And it is already a big issue. But P500M? Is this why we are increasing the taxes? To be able to easily justify the loan? Can anyone confirm this with any Municipal councilor or the treasurer's office? What will the loan that big be used for? If we are complaining now, wait till we get to be a City. Just ask the Balanga residents. 7. I understand it is not only the RPT that was increased but business permits, market stalls, tricycle registration (from P150 to P300 for the padyak),etc. Ok, the Municipal Government has the power to do that but was there consultation or hearing done with the affected constituencies? 8. How much additional revenue can be raised with this increase? If the provincial government is that strapped for cash, why does it seem unmindful of the leaks in revenue? I cite one small example, the dredging of our rivers in Tucop and San Simon. How come the contractor who was given the exclusive extraction permit (a contractor from Orani, Mori Bernales) does not pay anything, even the so called environmental fee, to the Capitol or Municipio, according to the Provincial ENRO? A truckload is sold at P2,500 per Bitoy Bajada who buys sand for his project. He, a Dinalupihenyo, cannot just use his payloader and truck to haul sand from our rivers in Dinalupihan. Vic Gaddi, also of Dinalupihan, (who now sells tarpaulin to candidates or businessmen) was able to obtain from DENR Region 3 a right or liscense but was denied an extraction permit by the Provincial ENRO. Pinatungan na lang ang area niya ng lone contractor. This is small revenue source but it makes us asks questions, why the Prov Govt  or the Mun Government does not care even if our roads get battered by the loaded trucks., or is it possible that the contractor keeps all the P2500 per truckload to himself??? How many thousand truckloads have been extracted since they started?  9. Now for the bigger ones, recall the Sunrise paper factory in Dona, Orani which was foreclosed by the Prov Govt and where 600 workers lost their jobs? The machineries were dismantled and sold. The question is did the SP approve a resolution to have them sold? If yes did the SP approve the price before they were sold? For how much were they sold? And how much went into the coffers of the Provincial Govt? P10 M? P20M? But the value of the equipment was more than P100 M according to one of the creditors who sued the Provincial Govt. This was the case for which a TRO was issued by Judge Escalada on the parties but which the Provincial Govt violated by having the machineries, on one late night, dismantled by armed personnel. The Judge cited the Governor for contempt of court, now subject of appeal. Loooong story!!. But they have a bearing on the issue of the 100 percent real Property tax increase. 10. And last, Shouldn’t there be a limit to the amount that an LGU can borrow, so that the debt service does not extend beyond the term of the borrowing Administration? Otherwise, the succeeding Administration cannot do anything more other than repay the outstanding loan contracted by the previous Administration!!