Cebu City collects P755M in business permit renewals

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government has collected over P755.5 million for the renewal of business permits in January.

As of January 26, the total collection is P755,586,595.54, higher than last year’s P652.3 million collection for the same period.

City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas said the amount will still increase since she has not collated the collection from January 27 until today.

“Mosaka pa gyod na ang collection nato bisan og humana ang deadline kay naa pay daghang mo-apas og renew,” she said.

As of January 26, Cuevas said at least 26,042 business establishments have already secured permits.

The city government has assessed 27,448 business establishments within the city.

With this, Cuevas is urging business owners to secure their permits to prevent possible closure of their businesses.

But since the deadline was on January 27, Cuevas said business owners who want to secure permits are mandated to pay the penalty.

Further, Cuevas said the City Treasurer’s Office and the Office of the Mayor will conduct the tax mapping to identify businesses that do not have permits yet.

She said the tax mapping will commence next month.

Cuevas said that those who will fail to renew its permits after the scheduled dates will be mandated to pay two percent interest per month and 25 percent surcharge and late securing fees.

“Serious gyod ta ani nga collection maong atong i-urge mga business establishments to settle everything as early as now para dili modako ang bayranan nga penalty,” she said.

Cuevas said the city government will issue a closure order should a business establishment fail to renew after three notices.

“Mag-start nata og tax map by February, atong pangitaan og permit ang mga business establishments. Kon dili makapakita ang owners, mag issue gyod ta og notices for them to comply,” she said.

Those who will fail to comply after three notices, Cuevas said, will be forwarded to the City Legal Office for the issuance of a closure order.   (FREEMAN)