AFTER over 15 years in a business partnership, I decided to go solo. But if anyone thinks that putting up a single proprietorship is easy, perish the thought, especially if you consider Mandaue City.
First, there’s the business permit application. Since I wanted to avoid the queuing from one office to another, I hired a facilitator who, referring parties said, was experienced and fast.
To my disappointment, she proved wet behind her ears. Three months of waiting and still, the papers did not move. I later learned that my application was her first experience with Mandaue City.
Second, there’s the inspection process. The city engineer’s signature had to wait; he was at a seminar, a meeting, or in the field.
After four days, the almighty signature was finally captured. Next step, the inspection visit to the proposed office. So, my husband and I decided to stay home the whole day, even if the visit was scheduled for the afternoon.
But then it rained. So they would postpone the visit. My husband offered to pick them up and bring them back to their office. Sorry, they said, their boss had already approved their request not to visit, and that’s that.
Already exasperated, I finally requested to tap relatives working in Mandaue City to intervene. The next morning, a team of five arrived. With their measuring tape, they took the length, width and height of the office, and then the inspection was over.
Overly solicitous and accommodating, they told me the business permit would immediately be signed and that my assistant could pick it up at their office that very afternoon. They tarried somewhat, and since I had not prepared snacks for them, I handed some snack money instead. They thanked me profusely.
No, the business permit was not signed that afternoon. Neither was it the next day. So my staff just kept calling up until it was ready for pick-up.
Third, there’s the BIR and its great malady of disconnect. On one hand, P-Noy and the National Government encourage people to open new businesses or go entrepreneurial.
Even BIR Commissioner Kim Henares defended on national television the requirement for people to issue receipts, even if the purchase was for P25. But does she know that in her own agency, the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing?
The Mandaue BIR takes its sweet time in issuing the Authority to Print (ATP). I had to wait for over a week to get my ATP.
A floor down my office, a provider can print official receipts. But they are not BIR-accredited so I had to look elsewhere.
After what seemed like years of waiting, I finally had my receipt booklets. But then some of my clients asked if my billing statement was BIR-accredited? Huh? My facilitator said she was just waiting if I’d ask her about billing statements. J-e-e-e-e-z!
And then there’s the Philippine National Bank. The BIR said some banks like the PNB can receive payments for the monthly percentage tax. PNB being nearest our office naturally became our choice. The teller, however, refused to receive our payment unless we had a PNB account there.
A check with the BIR said an account was not required and we should report any bank insisting on such. Sabotage by any name thwarts efforts at progress.
Pagsure kono mo, beh! Kakapoy baya ninyo, oi!
(lelani.echaves@gmail.com)