A coal-fired power plant operator in the town of Concepcion emerged as the number one corporate taxpayer in the province of Iloilo.

Palm Concepcion Power Corporation (PCPC), based on records from the Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO), remitted more than P29 million in real property taxes last year.

PCPC, owned by businessman Walter Brown, operates the 135-megawatt (135 MW) Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion (CFBC) Power Plant.

The second highest taxpayer was Dynasty Management and Development Corporation, paying P24,474,700.82 in real property taxes to the provincial government.

Property developers 8990 Housing Development Corporation and Property Company of Friends, Inc. got the third and fourth spots after remitting P22,614,349.01 and P14,939,224.19, respectively.

The fifth spot was occupied by Global Estate Resorts (14,590,619.15), followed by Robinsons Land Corp.(P11,562,058.27), New Panay Agri-Ventures Development Inc. (P9,431,963.68), San Miguel Foods Inc. (P 8,298,269.28), Communities Iloilo, Inc. (P7,992,189.47), and Liwayway Marketing Corporation (7,961,804.88).

For the individual category, Sps. Dennis Devicente and Dolores Devicente took the top spot with real property tax payment of P4,991,996.50.

Dan Stephen Palami came in second, paying P2,417,513.14 in real property tax, followed by Thelma Zerrudo (2,093,715.32), Dr. Pacita Gonzalez  (2,071,134.11), Felix V. Gurrea (P1,730,673.68), Jose Antonio Magalona (1,612,979.73), Ricky Ang (1,487,993.12), Margaret Ruth Florete (1,225,883.28), Emmanuel Illera (1,210,203.86) and Ruth Tirol Jarantilla (1,175,208.82).

The province’s top taxpayers were recognized in an awarding ceremony held at Zuri Hotel in Mandurriao district, Iloilo City on Wednesday, June 26.

The awarding ceremony was attended by Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul Banias.

“As you have heard from the governor (Arthur Defensor, Jr.), masami nagahambal nga ang good governance is not an objective sa province of Iloilo; it’s not an objective sang Capitol; it is a standard; it’s the way work. Kay ginapasiguro namon nga wala sing uyang sang isa ka sentimos ang inyo kwarta,” he said during his welcome message.IMT

REPORTING by Eugine Soqueña, West Visayas State University College of Communication intern; EDITING by Reymar Latoza