ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) ordered yesterday the closure of five shopping malls in this city for violation of value-added tax (VAT) rules and regulations.
The order, signed by BIR Commissioner Kim Jacinto Henares was slapped on the Group of Shoppers, pursuant to the Section 115 of the National Revenue Code of 1997, according to BIR regional director Atty. Rozil Lozares.
Lozares said the closure of the business establishments which is part of the BIR’s “Oplan Kandado,” was implemented, after the owners of the five malls failed to remit some P54-million VAT due to the government.
He said owners of the Group of Shoppers were given five days s to settle at least five percent of the total basic tax before the closure order can be lifted.