Mandaue hits target collection in first quarter

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City is confident to reach its P170 million target collection for 2011.

In fact, it may already have reached the target if collections for payment for real property tax are added to the P168 million collected payment for renewal of business permits. This amount was collected in January alone.

Payment for real property tax is a requirement in renewing and/or applying for a business permit.

Information Technology consultant Querubin Momongan said they have commenced the second round of collections - this time, for application for business permits – last Monday, January 31.

Aside from these, the city still has collectibles from delinquent taxpayers. Tax mapping for January this year showed that the city is yet to collect from 3,000 delinquent taxpayers and business owners who have yet to secure business permits.

Momongan said the early success of the collections can be attributed to the city government’s effort to streamline the processing of business permits. Taxpayers had to go through 17 steps before for about a month, but this has been narrowed down to just four steps in about 30 minutes.

This has been made possible with the Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) at the City Hall, Parkmall and Town and Bridges. – THE FREEMAN