Binawasan ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang mga real property tax at binalewala na ang lahat ng surcharge at interest ng mga kumpanya ng kuryente na nasa ilalim ng kontrata ng government-owned at/o -controlled corporations (GOCCs).
Nilagdaan ng Pangulo ang Executive Order No. 173 na nag-aapruba sa tax relief para sa ilang power facility upang maiwasan ang mga negatibong mangyayari, gaya ng mas mataas na singil sa kuryente.
“The payment of said real property taxes by the affected IPPs, some of which have obligation have been contractually assumed by the GOCCs and carries the full faith of the national government, threatens the financial stability of the GOCCs, the government’s fiscal consolidation efforts, and the stability of energy prices,” saad sa EO ng Pangulo.
Ayon sa Pangulo, ang puwersahang pagkolekta ng mga lokal na pamahalaan ng real property ay magbubunsod ng “massive direct liabilities on the part of the National Power Corporation/Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation and other affected GOCCs, may increase the cost of electricity.”
Sa bisa ng EO 173, ang lahat ng real property tax liability sa ari-arian, makina at equipment ng mga power facility sa ilalim ng mga build-operate-transfer contract sa GOCCs ay babawasan “to an amount equivalent to the tax due if computed based on an assessment level of 15 percent of the fair market value of said property, machinery and equipment depreciated at the rate of 2 percent per annum.” (Genalyn D. Kabiling)