MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews / 5 Feb) – The Don Carlos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. is seeking a dialogue with the municipal government for clarification of the local revenue code.
Cecille Pahilan, chamber executive secretary, said Wednesday the municipal government of Don Carlos collected higher taxes and fees this year without holding a public hearing.
She added that the municipal treasurer’s office imposed the increases using a scheme that appears to be inconsistent.
Pahilan said the chamber, organized only in October last year, is spearheading a forum dubbed “Issues and Concerns on Local Revenue Code implementation and business and permit licensing system” to initiate dialogue on the matter.
The forum, scheduled on February 11 at the Don Carlos Central Elementary School gymnasium, intends to fill gaps on the policies imposed by the local government in the process of obtaining business permits and licenses.
Expected to attend the forum are representatives from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the municipal council, the municipal treasurer’s office, and local business enterprises.
She added that Roderico Bioco, president of the Bukidnon Kaamulan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (BKCCII), was also invited to the forum.
Pahilan added that the local business community, including the small enterprises, were shocked with the reported increases and the supposed inconsistent bases for the collection of fees.
“There should have been a public hearing before this was implemented,” she added.
Pahilan said their ultimate objective in holding the forum is to seek clarification and influence the local government to conduct public hearing for the implementation of a consistent revenue code.
Municipal councilor Romeo Mabelin, who previously sat as member of the Bukidnon provincial board, said the business community should be in the forum so they will understand the policy from the municipal treasurer.
He said via telephone that the municipal treasurer implemented a presumptive scheme in the collection of taxes and fees based on gross sales of the business entities.
But he clarified that Don Carlos municipal government did not revise its revenue code yet.
