City taps police’s help vs tax-evading traders

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government is coordinating with police authorities in the campaign for erring businessmen to pay their taxes.

Mayor Michael Rama said the participation of the police would be a big help in raising the tax collection of the city government.

“The Philippine National Police will be part of our aggressiveness in revenue raising because they are all there in the police station, they know what activities are ongoing,” he said.

Rama said there are businessmen in the city who are operating without getting business permits from the city government.

“There are many people there lending… the “Turkos,” and they are making money out of those people,” he said.

Rama said these businessmen can also make a project for the city.

“When they will adopt a project, then that will be another PPDG — People Privately Driven Governance,” he added.

The mayor has earlier challenged the City Treasurer’s Office to collect P5 billion from the renewal of business permits, real property taxes, business taxes and regulatory fees this year.

City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas welcome the challenge.

“Among paninguhaon lang g’yud nga ma-achieve ang target,” she said, as she assured that their office will work double time.

The city has collected P32.9 million from business taxes in its one-stop shop at SM City set since January 5 until January 23.

Rama has likewise been urging tax payers to pay their obligations as soon as possible. — Mechelle P. Florita/NSA (FREEMAN)