The theory in public administration is that people have a mindset to shun paying taxes if they can. And this is the reason why many local government units especially the municipalities have remained dependent upon internal revenue allotment (IRA)for their operation and implementation of development programs. In fact this was the scenario year after year when it comes to tax collection in the City of Tagbilaran. The City government must borrow most of the funds to implement its road development program to address the moniker of Tagbilaran as the TBTK city. The meaning of this TBTK is far from its real meaning when Gov. Nonoy Torralba first coined the acronym which was Tigom Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan. Under its new meaning to describe Tagbilaran, it means Tagbilaran Buslot Tanang Kalsada. That was because there was not just enough inc as the city offriendship to attract tourists and visitors to Bohol's gateway.

And so the public, too, was almost at the verge of believing that there was nothing that could be done to raise the income of the city anymore until Mayor Baba Yap assumed as its local chief executive (LCE) and proved the mindset to be a myth by changing the equation. In only one year in office, Mayor Baba proved that honest and transparent governance would result in willing cooperation from the residents especially from the business sector. When the final summation for the computation of local business and real property taxes was made, Tagbilaran City was P62 million “richer” in collected local income. A figure no one among old timers in City Hall would have dreamed to be realized in one year. For business taxes alone, the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF)said the increase was 104% from past year's collection.

Thanks to the stubbornness of Mayor Baba who believed nothing is impossible to attain if a person puts his heart to what he believes can be done. And thanks to Primitiva ‘Priming' Ontong, who, even as an OIC City Treasurer, proved she was the right ‘man' for the job. Prior to her stint at the City Hall, Priming was the Asst. Provincial Treasurer of Bohol, a position that while denominated as the No. 2 position in the provincial treasury, she was almost a nobody as she did not make the big decisions. At City Hall she proved her mettle to deserve the trust of Mayor Baba to make a turnaround in the city's tax collection. For that, Priming was awarded the coveted title of Model Employee of the Year among city hall employees during the 48th Foundation Anniversary of Tagbilaran City last July 1st. In addition, the BLGF also awarded her with a Plaque of Recognition for the feat she has accomplished considered by her predecessors as an impossible thing to do.

I had a chance to interview Priming at her office the other week to find out how she did it. She only had a short and simple answer. She said it was just being patient in explaining to the tax payer and being honest in her dealings. She said she patiently wrote tax payers, especially the businessmen who were in arrears or delinquent with their taxes, to settle their back and current taxes. She also explained why the collectible has reached the amount reflected in their bills so that they would know why.

Surprisingly she said the tax payers replied that they did not pay taxes before because nobody sent them collection bills and they did not know how much to pay if ever there was. Now who could be sleeping all those times at the City Treasury Office? Mayor Baba and Priming are now telling us that if everybody in government is only doing his or her mandated job description, things could be favourable after all to the satisfaction of the tax paying people. Conclusion? Taxpayers don't shun or avoid paying taxes. They only have to be informed and asked to pay. To Mayor Baba and Priming Ontong and the people at City Hall who believe in honest governance and hard work, CONGRATULATIONS for a job well done!!!