Manila collects 160M taxes from flood control contractors to fund education initiatives
Manila Mayor Francisco Isko Moreno Domagoso (Photo courtesy of the Manila Public Information Office)
The City of Manila has successfully collected P160 million in unpaid taxes from contractors involved in various flood control projects, with the funds now being redirected to support key education and social programs, Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso announced.
The announcement was made during the 13th City Government Directional Meeting on Monday, Oct. 6, where Domagoso reported that roughly 300 flood control projects across the city were discovered to be operating without proper coordination or permits, and had outstanding tax obligations under Manila’s local tax code.
In response, the city government issued Statements of Account (SOAs) to notify the contractors of their liabilities.
He stated that the initiative led to the recovery of a substantial amount of back taxes.
The mayor also detailed how the newly collected funds are being used to fulfill long-standing commitments:
-P58 million has been allocated for subsidies to students of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), the city’s premier public university
-P25 million is being distributed as allowances for teaching and non-teaching personnel in Manila’s public schools
“The P58 million goes to PLM because the city has a responsibility to its students,” said Domagoso. “The P25 million will go to our teachers because the city owes them as well.”
Additional allocations are also being prepared for police officers, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and solo parents, as part of the city’s broader social support programs.
Domagoso disclosed that the city expects to collect an additional P60 million from other contractors that have yet to settle their tax obligations.
While the city government focuses on tax compliance and revenue collection, the mayor emphasized that any investigation into potential anomalies or irregularities in the implementation of flood control projects will be handled independently.
“We will leave that to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to investigate,” he said.
The mayor closed the meeting by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to good governance, transparency, and inclusive development.