Mayor bullish on taxpayers’ sustained cooperation

MAYOR Mauricio Domogan expressed optimism the sustained cooperation shown by taxpayers will enable the city to attain if not surpass anew its revenue target for this year.

“We thank our residents and businessmen for their positive response to our call for the prompt payment of their taxes to enable the city to again meet if not surpass its revenue targets and en- sure smooth delivery of public service and implementation of priority projects,” the mayor said.

The city pegged its tax revenue target at P385,900,000 this year while its total target based on the approved budget was P1,622,910,000 and distributed as follows: beginning balance – P160,000,000; tax revenue – P385,900,000; non- tax revenue – P223,010,000 and external sources – P850,000,000.

Assistant city treasurer Alex Cabarrubias said the city’s tax collection is presently right on the mark and shared the mayor’s confidence the city will exceed its revenue target.

Cabarrubias said one major determinant of the city’s revenue is the business tax collection.

As of April 15, the city licensing office under Braile Van Reyes said they have processed a total of 13,356 new and renewed business permits. They expect to surpass the target of 17,000 permits by the end of the year.

Based on records, the number of busi- ness licenses issued had consistently increased since 2011.

Last year, the office issued a total of 18,371 permits as against their target of 16,321 while in 2014, the office dished out a total of 17, 158 as against their target of 15,500.

One of the contributory factors was the involvement of the barangays in the monitoring of business establishments within their areas of responsibility.

Since he reassumed office in 2010, the mayor has ordered a crackdown on illegal business establishments operating in the city without the required business permits as part of the drive to increase the city’s revenues.

Domogan directed the barangay heads to compel businessmen to comply with the business permit requirements and those who desisted were issued closure orders. Aileen Refuerzo/ PIO