Manila city treasurer Erlinda Ocampo-Marteja has reported a tax take from Jan. 5 t;o Feb. 20 this year for P4 billion, exceeding the P3.5-billion target.

In her report to Mayor Alfredo Lim, she noted that the collection came largely from payments of real property/estate and business taxes, noting the contribution of the city assessor?s office headed by Lourdes Laderas, and the business promotion and development office (formerly the bureau of permits) led by Nelson Alivio.

Also recognized were the efforts of the license division under Joey Silva, deputy mayor and chief of the city personnel office alongside the real estate division led by Elimar Jose, both of the treasury office.

Marteja praised Lim?s policy of treating taxpayers as ?very important persons? who are entitled to service with a smile, and a well-appointed lounge complete with free coffee, fruit juice and biscuits.

?Sound fiscal and financial managements saved the day for us in overcoming that monetary difficulty,? Marteja said, noting that when Lim took over, city hall was saddled by a P1.4-billion deficit in July 2007.

?We can collect the revenues needed to fund the 2009 annual budget of the Manila government at P7.5 billion, if this encouraging trend continues up to the last quarter of this year.?

Marteja was designated city treasurer on Feb. 19 last year. Tony Macapagal