Hearing on proposed amendment of New Revenue Code today
BACOLOD CITY -- The Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government and the Committee on Ways and Means, chaired by SP Members Dindo C. Ramos and Diosdado A. Valenzuela, respectively, will conduct today a public hearing which will be attended by various business groups and stakeholders relative to their demand for the suspension and review of City Ordinance No. 474 or the New Revenue Code which was passed last December 10, 2008. Said ordinance was the subject of public clamor because of higher tax rates suffered this year by the businesses in the city of Bacolod.
Some businesses even threatened to close and cease operations, or to resort to mass layoffs and retrenchments just to survive and keep their business afloat.
SP Member Ramos said the “amendment of City Ordinance No. 474, series of 2008 is urgent and necessary under the present circumstances in order to ease the burden brought about by the aforesaid additional imposition which had aggravated the economic conditions of our suffering businessmen and other taxpayers.”
The hearing scheduled today will be attended by City Treasurer Annabelle Badajos, Permits and License Office Chief Ardis Jaculina and representatives from different business sectors including Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), Hotel and Restaurant Association of Negros Occidental, Association of Fil-Indian businessmen, real estate brokers and dealers, amity club, private hospitals, mall operators, transport organization, cinema operators, cockpit operators and small businessmen affected by the imposition of new revenue code.
Last Friday, the group from MBCCI manifested thru their letter addressed to the Bacolod City Council to review said ordinance because of economic crisis experienced worldwide and is besetting the country and whole Negros Island as well. They are also requesting the City Council to maintain the tax rates at 2008 level until such time that a thorough study be made on the various implication brought about by the changes relative thereto.