The brewing tax
revolt in Bacolod

Yesterday, I learned that several business groups of Bacolod City were busy finalizing their challenge to the New Revenue Tax Code of the City. The common view was that it could not allow them to abide with it and could end up driving them out of the city.

Former Rep. Monico Puentevella, owner of the Rolling Hills Memorial Park, seized the lead by filing a case before the justice department.

But there were reports yesterday afternoon that several other entities including the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Bacolod Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Negros Occidental, Negros Occidental Bankers Association were racing against time to file their suit against the tax ordinance.

These included the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association, Lopue’s Group of companies, Association of Negros Occidental Food Processors, officials of Bacolod hospitals, department stores and malls.

There were also reports as of yesterday afternoon that representatives of the transport sector also lamented the sizable increase in taxes they will have to pay the city government with the new ordinance.

The various business groups which attended the January 20 meeting at the Seabreeze restaurant stressed that while they are not against the increase in tax revenues, however, they pointed out that the incremental increase under the ordinance calls for as much as whopping 700 percent increase in business tax for retailers; 400 percent for private hospitals, 300 percent for wholesalers, distributors and dealers.

In short, if you intend to put a new business in the city, you will have to pay 400 percent more in business tax compared to last year’s tariff for newly established business, Puentevella explained.

This situation has triggered talks of businesses moving out from Bacolod to cities and towns because most of them can no longer afford to pay the new rates of business taxes.

The Federation of Bacolod City Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association also staged protest to denounce the drastic rise in taxes.

The suit filed by Puentevella, for example, cited three major errors in the passage of the new tax ordinance. 1) It was neither posted nor published prior to the conduct of public hearings as required by t LGC-IRR; 2)No notices were apparently sent to interested or affected parties as required by article 276 (b) (2) of the LGC-IRR. 3)the public hearings were not conducted within the prescribed day period according to LGC-IRR; 4) the Sangguniang Panlalawigan did not send a copy of the proposed ordinance

to interested parties or affected parties as required by the LGC-IRR. 5) There were no posting in conspicuous place in Bacolod and 6)Records show that the Bacolod revenue code was enacted in violation of the LGC-IRR and the Internal Rules of Procedure of the Sangguniang.

The impact of the new tax ordinance will become known next week when it

becomes final and executory unless the DOJ intervenes and stops it.

Another major figure was killed in Silay City. This was the cashier of the Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City, who was believed to have been killed in

Brgy. Zone 16 of Talisay City, reports said.

The victim was Jude Ilagan, 36, Brgy. E. Lopez of Silay City.

I believe, however, that Talisay police chief Ton Martir will be able to solve soon

the killing of Ilagan.

The victim was reportedly drinking at Burgos Street, Silay City and had informed his group of friends Wednesday night that he was on his way to board a tricycle.

His body was later found by Michael Quiachon. A brother of Alan said his brother suffered a broken ribs, reports also said.

What happened and who dunnit?

***

No final word has been received yesterday on the arrangements for the return of the remains of the late Rep. Iggy Arroyo (Neg. Occ., 5th District) to the country and the arrangements on when his family would allow him to be displayed at the session hall of the House of Representatives in Quezon City and where will he be buried.

Despite his being a controversial character, hardly anybody had said a bad word about Iggy.

Actually, although he was involved in controversies, one thing that must be said about Iggy, he never lost his cool. He remained courteous and soft-spoken. He never displayed the swagger of the brother–in-law of the former President. Instead, he just went around and was hardly noticeable in the company of the most powerful.

Even among the mediamen, I still have to hear anybody say a bad word about Iggy. For them, he was a perfect gentleman.

God bless him and his loved ones, especially his wife and 14-year-old daughter.

For Negrenses, Iggy was truly a big loss. Especially for the Fifth District of the Province which now has lost its representative in the House.*

back to top