In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

Tax relief for Marikina businesses amid pandemic, high prices

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

July 18, 2022, 5:41 pm

<p><em>(Photo courtesy of Marikina PIO)</em></p>

(Photo courtesy of Marikina PIO)

MANILA – Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro on Monday signed an ordinance granting amnesty on surcharges and interests of delinquent business taxpayers in the city.

Under City Ordinance No. 064, series of 2022, the city will grant a 100 percent relief on surcharges and interests of delinquent business taxpayers from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2022 to help them recover from the effects of the pandemic and soaring inflation.

Last Feb. 9, the previous city council enacted Ordinance No. 006, series of 2022, which provided amnesty grants on surcharges and interests of delinquent taxpayers until June 30.

The move came a day after Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. urged local government units (LGUs) to develop and carry out transformative programs to ease the economic burden of their constituents due to surging oil and commodity prices.

The grant of tax amnesty seeks to boost the city government’s tax collection efforts and as a relief to taxpayers who are experiencing financial difficulties.

Alam naman natin na malaking problema talaga ng ating bansa ngayon, hindi lamang dito sa ating lungsod, ay yung inflation. Yung pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin (We know that the big problem of our country today, not only here in our city, is inflation. The increase in the price of basic commodities),” Teodoro said shortly after the rites for the signing of the ordinance.

Teodoro said businesses are bearing the brunt of high production costs as they cannot easily hike selling prices.

Dahil alam ko napakahirap ngayon ng negosyo. Napakatumal ng pagtitinda. Kaya nga itong mga ganitong amnesty ay malaki rin naman ang maitutulong nito (I know that doing business is very difficult right now. The sales are very low. That is why such amnesties can help a lot),” he said.

For the business sector’s part, Noel Flores, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI-New Marikina Chapter), thanked the city government for extending the tax amnesty ordinance for business taxpayers.

"This will go a long way in helping all entrepreneurs in Marikina. We are looking forward to more collaborations and partnerships with the local government to boost our business. We all know that when business is strong, the city would be able to collect more taxes. Together we will recover, rebuild and rise,” said Flores.

The Marikina Market Vendors Association, headed by Mely Martinez, also thanked Teodoro and the city council for the extension of the tax relief that will greatly help small businesses like them. (PNA)

Comments