Boundary issues in Marilog affecting tax collection

BOUNDARY issues concerning the mountain resorts in Marilog District are still being determined and being settled, said an official of Davao City.

On the sidelines of the Investment Incentive Code review MOA signing Wednesday, May 16, Davao City Administrator Zuleika Lopez said they haven’t yet received the official reports on the matters concerning the mountain resorts and other similar establishments in the Marilog District that had earlier been reported to be operating without business permit.

“The City Tourism group is looking into it but I understand there are still also side issues as to matters of ownership because there are certain areas in Marilog District which does not belong to the city of Davao. I think there are still boundary issues [to settle]. Of course, it is important. As long as it is within the boundary of the city of Davao, that’s the time we can collect the lawful taxes. But outside of our jurisdiction we cannot of course collect,” Lopez said, adding that once the concerns on boundaries had been determined, full swing of the tax collection will commence.

Lopez said they cannot yet determine the amount of surcharges that will be imposed to the mountain resorts should they be proven to be located within the boundaries of Davao City and are operating within the necessary permits.

“It could also be, all along they thought they were located, say in the municipality of Arakan, and it was only determined now finally. So it [charges] only starts when it’s fully determined that the establishment is in the city. It’s also unfair for them,” said Lopez.

Aside from the taxation concerns, Lopez said the city government also looks into cleanliness and environmental compliance concerns as well as the tourism compliance concerns. She this is a joint effort of the City Tourism Office, Department of Tourism Davao Region, the City Environment and Natural Resources Offices, and the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Davao Region.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph