Valley bizmen renews opposition on new tax hike

LA TRINIDAD Vegetable traders have questioned anew the legality of the tax ordinance or the revised revenue code of 2017 after filing a petition to the Department of Justice on March 7.

The traders, comprised of 29 businessmen has sought for the nullification of the revised tax code which took effect January 2.

Petitioners claimed the increases are "baseless, unreasonable, unjust, excessive, oppressive, confiscatory and contrary to de-

clared national policy."

Attorney Simpson Baldo, counsel for the petitioners questioned the claim of the local government the ordinance underwent proper procedure especially in the conduct of public hearings as required by the Local Government Code and a copy of the actual notice of hearing claimed to have been posted in several public and conspicuous places within the municipality.

The petition also cited the ordinance was only published October 29, 30, and 31 or three months after the municipal council approved the revised tax code.

"What is required is that within 10 days from the filing of any proposed tax ordinance or revenue measure, the same shall be first be published for three consuecutive days in a newspaper of local circulation," the petition notes.

Petitioners claim during public hearing conducted on November 16,2017 , topics discussed were on classification of bars, ambulant vendors, and garbage fee but no dialogue on the increase of fees of the revised revenue code.

Petitioners also added they are charged with more than what is indicated in the 2017 revised revenue code such as the rates of rentals, rents at the bagsakan at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post.