As promised, I reiterated my call to have the penalties, surcharges and interests for business taxes be waived via my special report before the city council this week.
Earlier, the city mayor unfortunately didn’t approve the measure but I was still hoping that by urging my fellow city legislators to tackle the issue and by getting their support, there may still be a light at the end of the tunnel and that the mayor may still change his mind. After all, this is to help our hardworking entrepreneurs especially the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) like our market vendors for them to enjoy a little economic relief. Unfortunately, my call seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.
To be fair, a Ways and Means Committee hearing was set and I attended. I fought for the tax amnesties and the business group representatives at the hearing understood and valued my points. Sadly, if the outcome of that said hearing was any indication of what may happen to my proposal, let’s just say I won’t keep my hopes up.
From the ongoing pandemic to being declared under a state of calamity due to Typhoon Odette to now Alert Level 3 because of the surge in COVID-19 cases, our economy has been and will continue to be badly hit. While it’s good that the period for renewal of business permits has been extended, why can’t we show more compassion by granting tax amnesties? In fact, why don’t we even go a step beyond by giving them the option to do staggered payments for a year?
I call on my fellow public servants to be more sensitive to the needs of the people. Our hardworking Kagay-anon entrepreneurs need our help. Time is of the essence. Let’s be better public servants and do what we are called to do and that is to make life easier for our fellowmen. It is but fair and just.
