Pay parking is separate business: City Council
Once Mayor Tomas Osmeña will sign the approved ordinance on the matter, owners of pay-parking spaces in the city will be compelled to secure a separate business permit from the City Government.
The Cebu City Council approved last Tuesday the ordinance of Councilor Dave Tumulak amending the Cebu City Omnibus Tax Ordinance to require operators of establishments or lots for parking purposes to secure separate business permits for the facility.
Tumulak said that the operation of parking lots will be considered a separate activity from the main business conducted by the establishments that own the lots.
He said that it has been a practice of business establishments to collect parking fees, which is why there is a need to secure a separate business permit for this activity.
“City Tax Ordinance LXIX needs to be amended in order to emphasize the coverage of the operators of parking lots or areas that collect fees under the City Tax Ordinance, and thus, such operators must secure the corresponding business permit, thereby generating needed funds to support the services and programs of the city, as well as to monitor the fees being charged bu such parking lot operators,” read portion of the ordinance.
In an earlier interview, Osmeña said he is supportive of the move, saying it would help the City Government in regulating the establishments that are charging excessive parking lot fees.
He said that the City is also authorized to require these establishments to secure permits.
After the legislative measure was approved in the Council, it would be submitted to the executive department for Osmeña’s approval before it will take effect.
Councilor Dave Tumulak said that the operation of parking lots will be considered a separate activity from the main business conducted by the establishments that own the lots.