Zambo taxes online vendors

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Vendors of “ukay-ukay” (used clothing), beware: The Taxman cometh.

The city government will collect taxes from those who earn by selling goods at home and through online, according to Apple Go, assistant city administrator for economic enterprise.

Selling used clothes has been lucrative in the city. At the Sta. Cruz public market alone, more than 30 stalls are found, while vendors have started selling in an open market along Magay and Mercado streets. Shops have also opened in the villages.

Other enterprising people are engaged in online selling, and one of them is not happy about the city’s latest tax plan.

“I am trying to be more enterprising to earn a living. I cannot afford to pay a stall,” Melanie Siason said.

Marnelli Sahipa, a stall owner at the Sta. Cruz market, said she welcomed the city government’s move. “I pay a P16,000 annual rent for this stall. We also spend money to secure a business permit,” Sahipa said.

Go has insisted that those who are doing business must have permits.

Benjamin Barredo, city licensing officer, said selling ukay-ukay at home was like operating a sari-sari store, and would require a business permit that costs about P3,000. Julie S. Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao