DAGUPAN CITY – Mayor Alipio Fernandez, Jr. exercised his veto power over a newly passed city council ordinance that granted the condonation of penalties, interest and surcharges on back taxes due owners for-rent picnic shed at Tondaligan Park.

In his veto message sent to Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Belen T. Fernandez, the mayor said the ordinance is illegal because it was enacted without a public hearing and that there was no request whatsoever from his office for the passage of the same.

Being condoned per the ordinance which was passed when the presiding officer was Councilor Michael Fernandez is the amount of P1.6 million.

“If they cannot comply, they will be asked to voluntarily pull out or demolish their picnic sheds, otherwise the city government will do it for them,” he said.

In his veto message, Mayor Fernandez said that the request for condonation of penalties, interests and surcharges need further study by the city treasurer who shall then make the proper recommendation to him.

At the same time, Fernandez said the condonation si prejudicial to the public welfare and unfair to other shed owners who had been religiously and regularly paying their taxes to the government. (PNA)