Cebu City assessor awaits mayor’s directive on voiding illegal tax hikes

Title Lessons from the Cebu City Tax Hike Controversy The Importance of Clear Communication, Accuracy, and Collaboration

Blog Post

As professionals in the field of automotive engineering, we understand the value of accuracy and precision. These principles also apply to taxation, where inaccurate or unfair assessments can have far-reaching consequences for individuals and businesses. A recent controversy in Cebu City highlights the importance of effective communication between government agencies.

The Controversy

In July 2025, the Cebu City Assessor's Office informed the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) that they would not act on taxpayers' appeals to nullify questionable tax assessments without a directive from the executive branch. This decision followed the voiding of the stamp-override scheme, which had been used to make questionable tax assessments.

The Fallout

The controversy has raised concerns among taxpayers and businesses in Cebu City about its potential impact on their financial stability and the city's overall economic uncertainty. The delay in addressing this issue also raises questions about the effectiveness of the city's governance structures.

Lessons Learned

As we reflect on this controversy, several lessons emerge

Clear Communication Effective communication is crucial for resolving disputes and avoiding misunderstandings. A clear directive from the mayor would have helped alleviate concerns and provided guidance on how to proceed.
Accuracy Matters Inaccurate or unfair tax assessments can have significant consequences. The importance of accuracy cannot be overstated in any field, including taxation.
Collaboration is Key The Cebu City Assessor's Office and the Sangguniang Panlungsod must work together to resolve this controversy. Collaboration between government agencies is essential for effective governance.

Conclusion

The Cebu City tax hike controversy serves as a reminder of the importance of clear communication, accuracy, and collaboration in resolving disputes. As automotive engineers, we can apply these lessons to our own work, ensuring that our projects are accurate, efficient, and effective.

Keywords* Tax Hike, Cebu City, Real Property Tax, Assessment, Accuracy, Communication, Collaboration, Automotive Engineers

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.