THE Department of Finance (DoF) said it has been adhering to the Mandanas-Garcia ruling and computation for local governments’ shares in national taxes.
In a statement on Sunday, the department said it ensures the “strict compliance with the Supreme Court decision and relevant laws in determining the National Tax Allotment (NTA) shares for local government units (LGUs).”
“Nothing is shortchanged. We are very much welcome and open to having continued dialogues with our LGUs to help them strengthen their fiscal capacities and optimize resource utilization to deliver more and better services to Filipinos,” Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said.
This after a group of local government unit leaders called on the department to disclose the accounting of the NTA as they claimed they were being “shortchanged” of their shares.
LGUs are given a 40% share of the National Government’s tax revenue under the Mandanas-Garcia ruling.
The DoF said it refers to the Supreme Court decision as well as the 1987 Constitution when determining the deductions.
The Finance chief will also schedule a meeting with LGUs this week to discuss the matter, it added. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson
