Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Top taxpayers in Lapu-Lapu City
THE Lapu-Lapu City Government Monday recognized its top 20 taxpayers for two years and lauded the private sector’s contribution to the city’s development.
Four taxpayers—Shangri-la’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa, Lear Automotive Services, General Milling Co. and Fairchild Semiconductors (Philippines)—were consistently in the top five in 2006 and 2007. Shangri-la was cited for being the top taxpayer for the two consecutive years.
Raymond Bragg, general manager of Shangri-la’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa, said the company’s existence in Lapu-Lapu City for 15 years is an indication that the City Government has provided them with the resources needed to operate its business.
Efren Belarmino, general manager of Plantation Bay Resort, also agreed that the City Government has been supportive of different companies in the city, especially those in the tourism industry.
Plantation Bay was ranked as the sixth top taxpayer in 2006 and ninth in 2007.
The City Government hosted a recognition dinner for the top 20 taxpayers last Monday night at the Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino.
City Councilor Damian Gomez, who chairs the finance committee, said Shangri-la paid at least P33 million for one fiscal year while the lowest tax collected among the top 20 companies was P6 million.
In a news conference, Radaza said he will talk to the City Council to see if the City Government can come up with additional incentives that can be implemented starting next year for the “prompt and good” taxpayers.
Bragg, in an interview with reporters, said the support of the local government do not only benefit the different companies but is also helpful to their suppliers and employees.
“It is also easy to go and ask for support from the City Government,” he said, adding that they are still at a position where the government welcomes their suggestions on how to improve the city.
A recent study by the Asian Institute of Management on competitiveness rated Lapu-lapu City as the top overall scorer and the best city in terms of infrastructure and quality of life.
Bragg said the results of the Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project 2007 have reinforced Shangri-la’s belief that it made a good decision to invest on the island.
On allegations of corruption by the local leaders of the city, Bragg said the companies would rather “comment on what they see.” “So far, the results are very good,” he added.
Also during the recognition night, the the City Government presented an audio visual presentation that showed taxpayers the different projects initiated by the government from the taxes collected.
Among those projects is the material recovery facility that has enabled the city to achieve a zero-waste management program.
Inmates from the Lapu-Lapu City Jail were also recipients of a livelihood program. The sea ambulance system and the computer library project in Barangay Pangan-an and on Caubian Island were also presented as among those that have helped the residents. (DME)
