Relief sought on tax, stall fees

CEBU, Philippines - Vendors at the Carbon market are asking the Office of the City Treasurer to reconsider the decision to base their business tax and building and fire department fees on gross sales.

In a letter to City Treasurer Ofelia Oliva, Romulo Senining, private sector representative of the market authority, said the increase is a “heavy burden” to the vendors, as it means the vendors would have to increase their gross sales by 15 percent if only to pay for the business tax.

“It is unkindly for the City of Cebu to automatically increase their sales year in and out without concomitant attention and care by the government for them,” Senining said. The vendors have reportedly suffered low sales since the building burned down 12 years ago.

The vendors said their present occupancy does not invite increased sales since the city government has allegedly never been serious with its intention to reconstruct Unit II.

They also contended that it should be the city government that should shoulder the expenses for fees for the Office of the Building Official and fire department since the building belongs to the government.

On another section of the market, the present legitimate lessees of the stalls in Unit III, who have been authorized to occupy the vacant second storey of the building, are also asking the city to rationalize their rentals.

Senining said the lessees only use the second floor for storage so they won’t have to occupy portions of the road downstairs to display their goods.

“It is undeniable that store spaces on the second storey derive less income because patrons are hesitant in going to the second storey,” Senining said.

While the present lessees are paying only P2 per square meter on the ground floor, the city has imposed a fee of P5 per square meter for the second floor.

“The vendors are aware of the campaign of the Treasurer’s Office to realize an increase of the revenue of the city but the fees that may be collected from the Unit II vendors are so minuscule that the amount pales against what may be collected from those who are more fortunate and affluent businessmen,” Senining said. – (FREEMAN)