Cebu City RPT to increase after amnesty ends in 2026

Real Property Tax (RPT) rates of Cebu City remain the same as in 2003, as taxpayers still enjoy the two-year amnesty before the implementation of updated tax rates in 2026 due to the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA).

- Iris Hazel Mascardo, Staff Member

In an interview with The Freeman yesterday, April 13, 2025, Councilor Noel Wenceslao, chairman of the Committee on Budget and Finance of the City Council, discussed the proposed ordinance to revise the current RPT rates of Cebu City.

According to Wenceslao, the tax year amnesty is still in effect in Cebu City following the Executive Order (EO) issued by Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia last year, in line with the implementation of provisions cited in RPVARA.

Under that EO, the Cebu City Government waived the payment of penalties for delinquent RPT payers, aiming to encourage constituents to pay their principal taxes.

The two-year grace period began on July 5, 2024, and will last until July 4, 2026.

Despite this, Wenceslao said this does not mean Cebu City will no longer be updating the RPT, which could lead to an increase in overall tax rates.

"After the two-year period, that's the time nga magsugod nata og upgrade sa atong mga kanang Fair Market Value," said Wenceslao.