Bizmen hopes to conclude negotiations on new tax code

METRO Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Frank Carbon said the business community hopes to conclude sooner the negotiations with the Bacolod City Government relative to the implementation of the revised Revenue Code.

Carbon said if they incur another delay, they might pay more and higher rates.

The city has offered to reduce the rates in the next four years so there will be a difference from what they have paid.

The city proposed reduced rates starting 2013 with no rebates. They are happy with the offer, except that there will be no rebates.

Their benchmark is Iloilo. Some rates offered by the city are lower than Iloilo.

He said the reduction is substantial, like for example for the wholesaler, the rate is 75 percent of one percent. I think last year's offer was 40 percent of one percent or almost a 100 percent drop. It is a little lower than Iloilo which is 44 percent.

He believes that in this meeting or the next meeting, they will be able to resolve the matter before the end of the year. “Because we do not want to start the year paying the same high rates again.”

Bacolod Councilor Al Victor Espino earlier said it has been proven that what we did was legal and the tax ordinance was in accordance with law and that we followed all procedures.

Espino said the opinion or resolution of the Department of Justice signed by Secretary Leila Delima denied the motion for reconsideration of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Bacolod Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry

He said there is still one case pertaining to the Revised Revenue Code of Bacolod City in the Regional Trial Court filed by former Bacolod Representative Monico Puentevella “but I believe we will be vindicated as well.”

He, together with Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, will continue their dialog with the businessmen and he believes they are reaching an agreement.

Espino said although the political and legal questions have already been answered, I believe the city should be responsive to the need of our businessmen.

“Our proposal to our businessmen is to come up with a new slate or tax table. We will erase the 2012 rates and we will not give rebates. We will start in 2013 and give new rates to the businessmen and we hope they will accept it. We also hope it will keep Bacolod competitive with other cities,” he said. (CNC)