Traders ask mayor to reduce 2013 budget

ANGELES CITY -- Local businessmen have asked Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan to reduce the executive budget for 2013, saying it should be based on the actual collections of the city for 2011 and not on the estimated revenues from permits and licenses.

In a letter dated December 21, local businessmen advised the City Government “to moderate the budget for 2013 for the said item (business taxes and licenses) to the 2011 actual collection figure of P249 million.”

They said a reduction of the proposed budget is more realistic because the city was not able to realize its target revenue for business taxes and licenses amounting to P400 million for the year 2012.

The businessmen also called on the City Government to adjust the corresponding disbursement amount to reflect the said reduction.

The city’s executive budget for the year 2013, which was approved on December 17 during a council meeting held at a restaurant in Balibago, lists the business taxes and licenses revenue at P416 million.

The local traders also asked for their inclusion in the process of setting and approving the city budget.

They said the city budget will seriously affect them as stakeholders.

In the past few years, business organizations have never been invited to attend meetings concerning the approval of the city budget, the businessmen said.

During the council meeting on December 17, the businessmen disclosed that only three representatives from business organizations were present.

These representatives, who voluntarily attended the session, were not given an opportunity to give their comments to the budget.

The letter was signed by representatives from 13 business organizations and other stakeholders, including the Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines, Clark Investors and Locators Association, Rotary Club of Angeles Kuliat, People Power Volunteers for Reform Angeles, Integrated Bar of the Philippines Angeles Chapter, Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations Inc. Angeles (Creba Angeles), Taguete Realty Inc., Philippine Association of Realtors® Board Inc., Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, My Intellects IT Solutions, Greater Clark Visitors Bureau, and Environmental Practitioners Association. (Reynaldo G. Navales)