QC gives tax exemption for idle lands used for urban agri

Properties in Quezon City used for urban farming will be exempted from idle land taxes, the local government announced Sunday, following the amendment of the city's revenue code.

As approved by Mayor Joy Belmonte, Section 11 of the Quezon City Revenue Code of 1993 was amended to extend idle land tax exemptions to landowners who utilize their uncultivated and unimproved property for urban gardening for a minimum of three years.

The ordinance, however, mandates that the activities must yield agricultural produce for personal or public consumption, in efforts to ensure food supply stability in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA).

"This Ordinance provides a much-needed push to our urban agriculture advocacy to help boost food security for our citizens, especially during the pandemic," Belmonte said in an emailed statement.

Additional information regarding the implementation of the tax exemption was not immediately available.

The measure was introduced by majority floor leader Franz Pumaren and councilors Victor Ferrer, Eric Medina, and Donato "Donny" Matias.

"As a city with a land area of 161.12 square kilometers, there is an abundance of idle lands that can be put to good and productive use by utilizing them for urban agriculture," said Pumaren.

"To encourage the use of these idle lands, we deemed it best to give their owners exemption from Idle Land Tax if they decide to devote their property solely for urban gardening," he added. — DVM, GMA News