Aguilar vows to improve Las Piñas tax collection

LAS PIÑAS City District 2 Councilor Carlo Aguilar said he would reform the city's antiquated tax collection system if elected mayor. Aguilar, a three-term councilor, said the key solution to the city's dwindling funds is to modernize its tax collection system. "Almost all cities in Metro Manila have already modernized their systems, and if we don't act now, Las Piñas will be left behind," said Aguilar, noting Las Piñas' operating budget of P4.3 billion pales in comparison to neighboring cities like Muntinlupa's P7.5 billion and Parañaque's P12 billion. "We don't have half of their budget, so it's a big problem. Tax collection is key. There are many large businesses operating here that are not being taxed appropriately. It's not just the businesses that benefit — residents will, too, if we collect properly," said Aguilar, son of Christian Aguilar, the elder brother of Sen. Cynthia Villar. Aguilar added that even a small incremental increase in tax collection could lead to better services. "Even a modest increase from P4 billion to P5 billion would make a significant difference in the services we could provide to the public," he said.