City hikes project contractor’s fee

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has approved the amendatory ordinance seeking to increase the application fees of contractors with projects in the city.

Councilor Jerry Guardo pushed for the amendment of Section 14 of City Ordinance No. 2135, which regulates street diggings, excavation, restorations, installation of overhead and underground main and secondary utility/service lines, and other related infrastructure activities.

Guardo said CO 2135, which was enacted on December 14, 2007, sets a “relatively low” application fees. The inflation the country is experiencing now a days makes it necessary to amend the ordinance in order to suit the needs of time and evolution.

“The following schedule of fees shall be charged and collected upon filing of the application for permit to excavate and/or install overhead or underground utility line, for drainage tapping and construction,” read a portion of the amended Section 14.

For residential application, regardless of the project cost, the amount of P1,000 shall be paid.

Meanwhile, for four storey building, regardless of project cost, the amount of P5,000 shall be paid.

As to the commercial/industrial application with a total project cost below P5 million, the applicant shall pay P3,000. If the total project cost is above P5 million, the applicant shall pay P5,000.

Another P500 will be charged for the processing and evaluation of the application. All payments shall be paid directly to the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO).

The fees collected shall be deposited to the Technical Infrastructure Committee (TIC) Trust Fund. The ordinance also requires to indicate the starting date and completion date of the project.

“Within their respective territorial jurisdictions, local government units shall exercise its power to create its own sources of revenue and to levy taxes, fees and charges subject to the provision of the Local Government Code, consistent with the basic policy of local autonomy,” read the ordinance. — FPL (FREEMAN)