BATAC CITY, Ilocos Norte — Prospective investors and local residents in the province’s second city need not worry about increase in local taxes after the former municipality’s conversion into a city as the new city vice mayor assured that this would not happen while he is the vice mayor.

“While I am your vice mayor, there will be no amendments to the local tax code seeking to increase taxes and no new local taxes will be approved by this august body [Sangguniang Panlungsod] and I will make good [on] that promise,” said Batac Vice Mayor Allan Nalupta in his inaugural speech during the first Sangguniang Panlungsod session of Batac on July 3.

With the assurance that the new city would not increase taxes, Nalupta said that entrepreneurs and new investors should not hesitate to engage in business in the new city, which he said would bring in more job opportunity for local residents.

“No new taxes will also ensure the viability of our present businesses, minimizing closures thereby assuring our people of stable jobs,” Nalupta added as he also point out that “We do not wish our citizenry to be dependent on what their government can give them. We want our citizenry to be independent and self-sufficient.”

As presiding officer of the city council, Nalupta enjoined his colleagues to unite and work for the betterment of the whole city.

“May I emphasize that we should serve and be of service, and not to be served, that we should uphold the motto ‘public service above self’,” he stressed. - From The Ilocos Times by Leilanie Adriano