10,000 firms don’t have business permits: Crackdown in the offing

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is eyeing at forming a team that will crack down on over 10,000 business establishments that allegedly do not have business permits and are not paying taxes to the city.

Osmeña said the main duty of the closure team is to inspect the establishments and close them if they cannot present a permit.

“No need for show cause order because you have no permit, anyway… basta, one day, where is your permit? None, we’ll close. We’ll seal the door,” he said.

Osmeña said he does not want to tolerate tax evaders.

He told business owners:

“Well, I am giving you an advance warning now so that they cannot say, I didn’t know… We have to shake down and improve our collection system because I am the laughing stock of the businessmen here in Cebu.”

Last year, the city closed down two branches of the famous Rico’s Lechon, as well as the establishment’s central commissary allegedly for its failure to pay taxes.

It was followed by Time Out Sports Bar on F. Ramos Street in Barangay Cogon, Jeshian Café in Barangay Kamagayan, Ed’s Tambayan in Sitio Nasipit, Barangay Talamban and Chuva-Chuva Spa.

Abuhan restaurant, which was owned by Osmeña’s first degree cousin, and Vic Enterprises situated along F. Gochan Street, Barangay Mabolo were also ordered closed.

Osmeña said he will appoint Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, Enhancement (PROBE) team head Raquel Arce to lead the closure team.

Arce said she is willing to take on the role.

“Flattered ko for the trust and confidence. Niya ako siya giingnan, that’s no problem with me once I have the order from you. I will implement because I am a good soldier,” she said.

“Mao mana ang trabaho sa PROBE, closure sa establishment kay under mana sa mandate sa PROBE. Once naa’y closure, sorry I have to execute and implement,” she added.

Dealers

Meanwhile, all motorcycle dealer companies in Cebu City were warned of closure if they delay the issuance of registration of motorcycle buyers.

At the City Hall yesterday, at least 15 motorcycle companies attended a meeting called by Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

“I’ll find a way to shut down their business if they cannot function and service their customers properly,” the mayor told reporters.

Osmeña said the companies did not cite any reason for the delay.

“I don’t need to hear a reason. That’s their job. But one good reason is nakakwarta na sila, so what’s the hurry? Right? Who cares? They sold the motorcycles. Nakaginansya na sila,” he said.

His move to meet the motorcycle dealers stemmed from a complaint of a motorcycle driver who was caught driving around the city without registration from Land Transportation Office.

After he received the complaint, Osmeña said he asked someone to investigate and found out that LTO has not received papers from the undisclosed company for the registration of the driver.

The mayor said he paid for the fine of the motorcycle driver who sought his help.

“So, I just tell the people if you get caught in Cebu City because you have a new motorcycle and your papers are not processed yet, I will pay the fine,” he said.

The mayor said he will issue a show cause notice against motorcycle dealers to explain the delay of processing and issuing the registration of the motorcycle units of their clients.

He said he will look for ways that these motorcycle companies can no longer operate in the city.

He wrote on his Facebook page:

“To the buyers of new motorcycles: It is not your fault that your registration takes 4 months to process. So, if you are caught anywhere in Cebu City for not having registration for your new motorcycle, we will waive your fine. If you are caught by an agency not under Cebu City such as LTO, I will pay for your fine myself,” the post reads.

“I have also issued an ultimatum to these motorcycle dealerships who delay the submitting of registration papers to LTO: keep this up, and you won’t be selling motorcycles for much longer,” it added.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, the post generated over 7,000 reactions and was shared 3,000 times.

Earlier this month, the mayor asked Cebu City Transportation Office enforcers not to apprehend motorcycle drivers who cannot present registration of their newly-purchased motorcycles. (FREEMAN)