Business heads in Cebu to seek Aquino’s help

LEADERS of business groups in Cebu will ask President Benigno Aquino III to order the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to extend the deadline of implementation of new

receipts

Philip Tan, president of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), said yesterday that the MCCI and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) would come up with a joint manifesto requesting the President to interfere and help them convince the BIR.

Tan said they would seek Presidential intervention after BIR Commissioner Kim Henares denied the request of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry requesting for an

extension.

Tan said they were not questioning the aim of the BIR to eradicate unscrupulous businessmen who wouldn’t comply with the rules in terms of paying taxes.

Tan said that the new regulation was not well disseminated since not all businessmen knew about it or the reason behind it.

“Although they said they had informed us six months last year but the different businessmen here were confused what this thing is about,” Tan said.

“P25,000 penalty for businessmen who have not yet complied with the change of receipts until June 30 is too big for them considering the number of businessmen who still cannot comply with the new rule,” he said.

“Those who can comply with the rule are only roughly 10 to 20 percent of the total establishments across the country,” he said.

printing problems

He also see problems with the printing of the receipts.

He said the time given for the printing presses to secure permits to print was just too short.

“Even among the printing press accredited by the BIR, they cannot accommodate all the requirements of all the establishments. And you are not only talking about one, but you are also talking about the official receipt, invoice, delivery receipt, cash receipt,” Tan said.

He said that he is not against the regulation, since it is right that BIR has to control the receipts.

“The problem here is that the implementation is just so drastic. It is just impossible for the directive to be complied with by the business sector,” Tan said.

“We are just asking for time. I hope they will consider another six months or a year,” Tan said.

He also said that aside from the CCCI, he would also ask other business chapters in the country to make their open appeal or manifesto addressed to Aquino.

“I hope the President will consider our appeal. This is not to our own liking. There are many things to be considered. I hope the BIR will just try to be considerate because this is not humanly possible,” Tan said.