CITY Councilor Nielex C. Tupas intends to sponsor an amendment to the existing local revenue code of Iloilo City.

Tupas said the amendment can be done by lowering the amusement tax on gross receipts from admission fees on pop, rock and other similar concerts from 30 percent to 10 percent.

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Tupas said his proposal will, in fact, revise the provision on amusement taxes.

Regulation Ordinance 2007-016, enacted on December 19, 2007, amended Ordinance 399 Series of 1992 otherwise known as "The Local Revenue Code of Iloilo City and Providing Penalties thereof."

The amended ordinance had set forth the provision on "the holding of operas, concerts, dramas, recitals, painting and art exhibitions, flower shows, musical programs, literary and oratorical presentation, except pop, rock or similar concerts from the payment of the tax imposed."

Tupas admitted that promoters had shunned away from bringing world-class pop and rock entertainers to Iloilo City due to the 30 percent amusement tax.

Bigger cities like Quezon City, Cebu and Bacolod levy a 10 percent amusement tax on pop and rock concerts so its people enjoy the world-class performances.

It is high time the city of Iloilo lowers its amusement taxes so as pop artists are encouraged to come and perform here, Tupas said.

The city councilor said other members of the City Council are amenable to the idea of lowering the amusement tax, including Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.

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(December 3, 2008 issue)
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