A party-list lawmaker has filed a House resolution urging Congress to conduct an immediate review of Republic Act No. 12001, or the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA), citing concerns raised by local officials and stakeholders over its implementation.
4Ps party-list Rep. JC Abalos said the measure does not oppose the goal of modernizing the country’s property valuation system but seeks to reassess whether the law remains suitable under current economic conditions.
He said growing concerns from local government units, assessors, and other stakeholders have prompted questions on how the law will be applied nationwide.
“The issue before us is no longer simply when RPVARA should be implemented. The more fundamental question is whether the law, as presently crafted, should proceed without further legislative review,” the solon said.
The law introduces updated market-based valuations as the basis for property taxation, which he said could have broader implications beyond real property taxes. These may include adjustments in Special Education Fund levies, transfer taxes, capital gains taxes, estate taxes, donors’ taxes, documentary stamp taxes, and other related charges.
He noted that while the law provides a temporary safeguard limiting tax increases during the first year of implementation, this protection does not address the long-term impact of higher property valuations.
In many areas, the lawmaker said the Schedule of Market Values have not been updated for years, meaning new assessments could significantly raise taxable property values once implemented.
“Depending on the locality and the extent of the valuation gap, taxpayers could eventually face significantly higher property-related tax liabilities after the transition period,” he said.
He further stressed that the concern is not only about potential tax increases but also about the ability of households and businesses to plan for future financial obligations.
He said property owners, including first-time homebuyers and small entrepreneurs, should have clearer guidance on future costs, while local governments need sufficient preparation time for implementation.
The resolution was filed after the Philippine Councilors League passed a separate nationwide measure calling on Congress to revisit RPVARA in light of economic conditions and local government concerns.
Abalos said the proposed review aims to ensure that reforms in property valuation are implemented with transparency and public confidence.