Cebu City’s top taxpayers cited

Businesses in Cebu City were given recognition for helping shore up the city government’s operations through their taxes during last Monday’s taxpayers recognition night at the Marco Polo Plaza.

A total of 79 plaques of appreciation were given by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to  business owners and representatives.

“As we continue to strive to become the most livable city, we hope our partnership will further improve,” Cebu City treasurer Emma Villarete said in her message.

The Visayan Electric Co. (Veco) was awarded as the city’s top business tax payer as it ranked first in terms of real property tax payments.

Plaques were given to the top  20 business taxpayers, 20 real estate property taxpayers, five businesses operating in economic zones, five suppliers of goods and services and five contractors of infrastructure projects.

Also given recognition were five market vendors, five fish vendors and five each of the highest income earning barangays in Cebu City’s north and south district.

Cebu City is expected to collect about P4 million in local taxes this year.

“Taxes are the lifeblood of government. For as long as they comply with requirements, I don’t think there is a need for too much scrutinizing.  What this country  needs is to  trust our businessmen,” Rama said.

Rama said he ordered the City Treasurers Office to speed up  transactions at City Hall.

One of the awardees, Filinvest Land Inc., credited its  success partly to the “very business friendly environment” in Cebu City.

Filinvest ranked 15th in real property tax payments. Tristan Las Marias, Filinvest Land Inc. vice president for the Visayas and Mindanao, said this climate  helped them and others expand operations in Cebu City.

Filinvest Land Inc. has a joint venture with Cebu City in developing 50 hectares of land in the South Road Properties (SRP).

“In our own way, Filinvest would like to commit to conduct more projects…with the primary objective of helping the city create more jobs, attract more tourists and provide better yet more affordable shelter to the Cebuanos,” he said. /Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac