Mandaue treasurer says: "One Cebu Expo has no permit"

CEBU, Philippines - The ongoing “One Cebu Expo” at the Cebu International Convention Center has failed to secure a special permit from the Mandaue City Government.

This information, revealed yesterday by a reliable source to reporters, was confirmed by Mandaue City Treasurer Regal Oliva who said that organizers of the “One Cebu Expo” indeed failed to secure a special permit from the City Government.

Oliva said that if one has to do business in Mandaue, he has to secure a permit before engaging in a private enterprise as stipulated under Section 32, Article 5 of the Local Revenue Code.

The Code provides that one has to secure a mayor’s permit before they can do business in the city. 

But Capitol spokesperson Rory Jon Sepulveda said Oliva should define the word business.

Sepulveda stressed that the One Cebu Expo is not being done by the Provincial Government for business purposes but to showcase the products and services found in Cebu.

“This is purely an exhibition, and not for business… Asking the Province to secure a mayor’s permit is simply out of the question,” he said.

However, the Capitol lawyer added, if Oliva feels that some transactions at the One Cebu Expo are subject to taxes, Oliva should make the proper steps by sending representatives from the City Treasurer’s Office instead of going to the media.

“He should observe the proper steps, dili kay wala pa niya pahibaw-a ang organization or persons involved moadto dayon siya sa media. This is the second time that he’s done it. Does he like to read his name in the media? We are watching with anticipation what’s his next move,” said Sepulveda.

Oliva said that aside from the organizer’s lack of a special permit, the Mandaue City Government is also supposed to get P148,000 income from the 135 booths joining the said expo.

He cited Section 32 of the Local Revenue Code that states the City can “impose fees and charges on all businesses, occupation and the practice of any profession or calling which commensurate with the cost or regulation inspection or licensing.”

The Local Revenue Code was amended in 2006, imposing a 10-percent increase in some of the city-imposed fees. Therefore, from the old P100-daily fee from each booth, the city would have collected a P110-daily fee from the booths selling goods at CICC.

“All activities being held inside CICC must get permit from the City Government,” Oliva said.

The “One Cebu Expo” is one of the highlights of the 442nd anniversary of the Province of Cebu. It was opened last August 5 and will run up to August 15 and will have a midnight sale on its last day.

Products from Cebu’s towns and cities, export-quality furniture and fashion accessories from Cebu-based companies and other items from sister-provinces of the Cebu Provincial Government are being sold during the entire duration of the One Cebu Expo. – (FREEMAN)