The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod passed on first reading Wednesday an ordinance amending certain sections of City Ordinance 474, Series of 2008, or the Revised Revenue Code of Bacolod City.

The amendments proposed by Councilor Dindo Ramos include the imposition and time of payment for business taxes, tax on transfer of real property ownership, tax on quarry resources, annual fixed tax on delivery service motor vehicles, and tax on transport business.

They also include amendments on Mayor’s Permit fee on occupation or calling, special permit fees for the operation of cockpits, fire inspection fee, and garbage service charges.

Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. yesterday said a public hearing on the matter will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the new government center.

A group of businessmen representing different business organizations in Bacolod City wrote the city officials Wednesday requesting that all taxes and fees provided in C.O. 474 be maintained at the 2008 levels until a thorough study is made on the various implications brought about by the economic crisis being experienced worldwide.

They said that as a result of the economic crisis, which is besetting the country and the whole Negros Island, businesses are cost-cutting and downsizing.

High unemployment rates are already a reality and higher taxes will only further aggravate the situation causing more job losses and higher social problems, the businessmen said.

They also claimed that procedural and substantive lapses have been noted in the formulation and implementation of C.O. 474.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he has discussed the matter with city officials and some businessmen.

He said Ramos had already filed an amendatory ordinance that was passed on first reading.

“I think this will call for another round of public hearings and consultations, and we believe that, properly done, we can forge a compromise or something that will be acceptable to most, if not all of the business community,” he added.

Meanwhile, Gamboa said that, during the Dec. 10, 2008 SP session, he had requested that the passage of the tax ordinance be delayed pending a study or research focusing on the impacts of the tax hike to business and the local economy as a whole in the midst of the global economic crisis.*CGS

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