Lapu-Lapu to collect more taxes at MEZ

CEBU, Philippines - Workers at the Mactan Export Processing Zone are claiming they are to pay additional taxes to the Lapu-Lapu city government.

A worker presented to reporters a document that showed his company will collect P100 from him through payroll deduction.

Deadline for payment of such permit is December.

The worker said the permit is just one of several fees he has to pay to the city government.

However, during yesterday’s press conference city attorney Yuri Benluan said all employees of all establishments in the city are required to pay an annual fee of P100 for their occupational permit fee as stipulated in the city’s local revenue code.

This is the first time employees based at MEZ will pay an occupational permit fee.

The payment of this fee failed to take effect earlier because the issue regarding jurisdiction cropped up.

PEZA had opined it is independent since it follows its own charter, and therefore separate from the city government.

Benluan pointed out that even if MEZ belongs to the Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA) it still falls under the jurisdiction of the city government.

In the later part of last year, both MEZ and the city government agreed that each of their employees pay an occupational permit fee.

Mayor Paz Radaza, for her part, said locators or companies inside MEZ should explain to their workers the basis for the payment of P100 for the occupational permit fee. — (FREEMAN)