FILE PHOTO: Facade of the Quezon City Hall.
MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has introduced an electronic payment facility for taxpayers and business owners so they could easily pay real property dues and file new business permit applications.
This developed as contact-less transactions are being encouraged nationwide in the face of persistent threats of COVID-19, a serious respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus which can be “transmitted from person to person via droplets, contact, and fomites,” according to the Department of Health.
Starting August 24, business owners may file their permits applications through the “QC E-Services portal” wherein both business owners and city taxpayers may also settle their dues via “QC Pay Easy” which could likewise be found on the city’s online services website, the local government said in a statement.
Through QC Pay Easy, city taxpayers and business owners may pay via credit card, Paymaya e-wallet, or instantly transfer funds from the following banks: BPI, RCBC, Robinson’s Bank, and UnionBank.
Mayor Joy Belmonte said other online payment methods will be added soon. Eventually, she also said, the system will be integrated with all online services that require payment at the City Treasury.
“Paying taxes should not be taxing. That’s why the local government is keen on delivering cost-efficient and practical solutions such as this to address the woes of our taxpayers and business owners,” she added.
City Administrator Michael Alimurung said QC Pay Easy aims to mirror Biz Easy and Build Easy, which presents all stakeholders with “a win-win situation.”
“Transacting online would mean saving time and effort, and limited face-to-face interactions, which help prevent the risks of COVID-19,” he pointed out.
“And lastly, through Pay Easy, we are able to respond to the call of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and comply with RA 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business which seeks to digitize government transactions,” he added.
— McKenzie Kinsella, trainee