In collaboration with
the Business Permit and Licensing Office, City Treasurer’s Office and
the Tri- District CUPS (Calbayog Urbanization Program and Services),
Mayor Reynaldo Uy called the attention of all commercial businessmen
to issue original receipts to the buying public and reminded the
latter to demand ORs in every purchase made.
City Treasurer
Federico Resente said that in every P1 share, 40 cents go to the local
treasury since the LGU (Local Government Unit) share comes from the
BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) collection which is based on gross
receipts.
But admission of
entries is not limited to original receipts; “paktura” can also be
accepted in drop boxes assigned in three designated areas such as the
city hall’s information booth, Mercury Drugstore (Gomez St.)
and public market.
Every OR bears the
name of the customer with contact number (if there is) and complete
address which should be written at the back page; while “paktura” also
bears the same as well as the name of the establishment. This is one
way of monitoring BIR registered or non-registered businesses located
in the city and even in the barangay.
Business Permit and
Licensing Officer Eduardo Galang revealed that there are more than
2,000 commercial businesses registered in their office while the BIR
have only 800 plus.
He however clarified
that through Executive Order No. 646 signed by former president Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo; it allows the local treasurer or deputy to look into
the businessmen book of accounts at the
BIR. Since the basis of local government taxation is the gross
receipt, an increase in the
BIR tax collection carries the local tax collection, if
the former cooperates, Galang said.
Through this raffle,
the mismatched records of the BPLO and the
BIR would be resolved as it would help in tracking down
businessmen committing tax evasion.
BIR Collection Officer
Manuelita Penaranda said that a receipt should be claimed in every P25
purchase and their office had been penalizing businessmen for
non-issuance. Any alibi such as “still on the process or waiting for
arrival and the like” is not acceptable, she stressed.
Aside from stores,
apartments and boarding houses are also included in the strict
implementation of issuing receipts. BPLO Chief Galang disclosed that
they would continue to inspect those located in East and West Awang,
Balud, Hamorawon, Aguit-itan, Rawis and Payahan. He cited the salient
provision of the ordinance in allowing apartments or boarding houses
to operate such as no mixed male and female boarder policy, names and
address of the boarders should be listed upon application, standard
dimension of the structure and others. No permit to applicant-operator
will be granted in case of non-compliance of any of the requirement,
he emphasized.
Mayor Uy on the other
hand suggested that the BPLO should coordinate with the school’s
registrar in validating the names and addresses of the students. BPLO
team can tap Christ the King College, Northwest Samar State University
and Science and Technology Institute for record verification.
Real Property Tax Collection under Compromise Agreement
City Treasurer
Federico Resente had assured the public that albeit non-availability
of data on the exact figures of the first and second quarter
collection, he was pleased with the recent tax performance, except for
real property taxes. But with the authority given by the Sanggunian by
allowing his office to enter into a compromise agreement with real
property owners in settling the 3-year tax obligations through
installment basis, he was hopeful
RPT collections would improve.
To effectively
implement the program, he accepted Uy’s challenge to spearhead in
enforcing collection of stall rentals in the Fishport area against
delinquent occupants. Be it noted that said burden had been entrusted
by the previous administration to the City Economic Enterprise Office,
but the resistance of stallholders to pay their rentals religiously
has confronted the local chief executive to impose what is mandated by
the local tax ordinance.
“Kwarta sa Resibo” targets 3 Programs
An increase in local
tax collection through “Kwarta sa Resibo” could help in implementing
three priority projects of the city. Mayor Uy is determined to put up
tenements in Brgy. Aguit-itan intended for informal settlers dwelling
in the area; creating and setting up Hibatang River Cruise as an
eco-tourism project; and building agriculture and road projects.
Involving all local
government employees and stakeholders in the program would wind up
success and the monthly draws of “Kwarta sa Resibo” is just an initial
step in encouraging convergence.
