The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved a resolution Wednesday extending the deadline for payment of local tax fees and charges without penalties in relation to the issuance of business permits from February 15 to February 29.

The resolution was authored by Councilor El Cid Familiaran and co-authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito.

The SP also approved on first reading Wednesday an ordinance condoning the surcharges, interests, penalties, and arrearages on the rental obligations of stall, table and block occupants in the local markets of Bacolod City.

The ordinance said the local markets are considered the economic movers of the community, as the goods they sell are mostly locally produced, the owners/sellers are local people, and the buyers are mostly residents of the locality, thus they are very important to the local economy.

As of this date, Bacolod Cityhas accumulated in arrears from the unpaid market rentals from all stall leases from Libertad, Central and Burgos Public Markets, it said.

The need to update this ordinance is crucial since this will give order and solution to the problem that the City of Bacolod is facing in the Public Markets of the City, it added.

The ordinance provides that occupants will be given one year to pay the principal amount of their rental obligations from 2002 to 2012 starting from the date of approval of this ordinance.

Delinquencies prior to the period covered will be added to the total principal amount of the rental obligations of the occupants with interests, it said.

The ordinance also said all qualified market stall owners will have at least 60 days from receipt of the notice of delinquency sent after the effectivity of this ordinance to file an application with the office of the local market supervisors.

Upon review of the market supervisor of its compliance, the application shall then be endorsed to the Local Market Committee and the chairman of the SP Committee on Markets and Slaughterhouse for approval of the application.The applicant should attach to the application, a notarized promissory note, it said.

Any delinquent stall owner who failed to avail of the reprieve granted through this ordinance, and after due notice, will automatically be subjected to the cancellation of contract in accordance to the provision of C.O. 160, series of 1996 or the Local Market Code, the ordinance said.

Occupants will also be required to pay their past dues before they can secure their business permits but the same shall be free from surcharges, interests and penalties, it said.

The Permits and Licensing Division of the City will ensure that businesses operating in the public markets will pay their obligations before their permits will be granted, it added.

The ordinance was authored by Distrito and co-authored by Councilors Dindo Ramos, Al Victor Espino, Em Legaspi-Ang, Roberto Rojas, Carlos Jose Lopez, Mona Dia Jardin and Familiaran.*CGS

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