MANILA – This capital of PH increased its tax revenue by around six percent as more businesses applied for permits despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, its mayor said on Thursday.
Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso revealed this on his annual State of the City Address (SOCA), saying that the city has collected around 5.91 percent more than the same period last year.
The city treasury has collected 693 million more, totaling 12.441 billion from July 2019 to May 2020, in comparison to 11.747 billion on the same period.
More businesses also applied and renewed their business permits, according to the mayor.
“Despite Covid-19, the state of the city is strong and future secure,” Domagoso said in a speech, which lasted for about 2 hours.
“Even with the pandemic [Manila city] had a small growth [in tax collection],” he added.
The city government also lowered the real property taxes by 20 percent, which did not have an adverse effect on the total revenue.
The mayor has attributed the tax increase to a more efficient “end to end” online tax payment system, as well as the tax amnesty from July to December.
Taxpayers could pay their dues through Go Manila Application, which enables tax payers to pay their dues without stepping outside the comfort of their homes.
“Based on the feedback we have received, ngayon lang ako nakakita ng taong nakangiti habang nagbabayad ng buwis sa Maynila,” he added.
Meanwhile, 8,665 new businesses were registered to operate in the country from July 2019 to June 2020, compared to 8,272 businesses from the same period.
Renewal of permits has likewise increased to 51,022 from July last year to June 2020, in comparison to 50,393.
This was attributed to the Bagong Maynila Business One Stop Shop” which have efficiently provided business owners with ease of doing business and acquiring necessary permits.
“Gone are the days when one has to wait for weeks before acquiring a permit,” he said. (Benjie Cuaresma)
