CH collects P1.2 billion in biz taxes

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City government has collected P1.2 billion in business taxes in just 22 days from the renewal of mayor’s business permits.

Lawyer Jerone Castillo, acting treasurer, said the city is expecting to collect more with eight days left from the culmination of a one-stop shop for this year’s renewal of business permits. The shop also processes delivery, special, and events permits, and cedula application.

“The city generated around P1.2 billion in business taxes last year. This early, we already collected P1.2 billion and we still have eight days left to collect,” he said.

The city targets to collect P1.5 billion in business taxes.

The city established the one-stop shop on January 2, which will run until January 31, for the at least 40,000 business establishment owners renewing their permits.

To ease of doing business, Castillo said his office implemented measures to hasten the processing of permits.

“We updated our program so that business owners can get their permits in 24 hours,” he said.

Moreover, he said his office is also planning to put up additional district offices, which will cover the Banilad-Talamban area, at IT Park.

He said the city’s satellite office at SM City remains.

“So that’s how we try to be as friendly as possible to our businessmen,” said Castillo.

The City Council earlier approved an amendment extending the validity of business permits in Cebu City to two years from one year.  KQD (FREEMAN)