Solon seeks ‘flow back’ from import tariff revenues Taguig posts increase in biz tax collections

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

ALe ADeR of the house of Representatives is proposing that tariff revenues from fish imports be used to back-stop the fisheries sector, particularly marginal and municipal fishermen. house Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey sarte salceda said a mechanism for the domestic sector should be present for all import-tariff revenues.

“About 63 percent of fishing-dependent households are poor—that is the largest of any sector in the country. And imports tend to displace their livelihoods further. so, there has to be a flowback mechanism where they benefit from import tariff revenues,” sa lceda said.

“At the top, we can extend production support. For the middle, it’s value-chain and market-facilitation, as well as the hatcheries that BFAR [Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources] constructs.

But at the bottom, we really need subsidies,” he added.

The lawmaker issued such pronouncements during the committee hearing of the house Committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries—chaired by Rep. Alfredo D. Maranon iii to discuss house Bill (hB) 4859. The bill seeks to provide fuel subsidy for municipal fishermen. sa lceda also said that “at the proper time, and through the author [Rep. Gustavo s Tambunting],” he will “propose amendments to include the tariff flowback mechanism.”

World Bank loan

Me A n W hiLe , he also appealed to the BFAR to strengthen first-border inspection of fish imports, “which are one of the most heavily smuggled products,” so that tariff revenues can be collected.

sa lceda also urged the BFAR to expedite the completion of some 54 legislated hatcheries, emphasizing that “only three have been fully completed.”

The lawmaker also suggested that the BFAR access grant funds from the Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) project, a P12.5-billion loan of the Philippine government with the World Bank.

According to sa lceda, the loan is set to go online this year.

“Although the project scope is only limited to certain areas, the technical assistance component could perhaps be used for the feasibility studies for the legislated hatcheries,” he said. “it seems that that is a significant holdup, as it takes the BFAR currently about a year to complete, given in-house capacity.” sa lceda added that he will write to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Finance secretary Benjamin e Diokno to consider adding feasibility study preparation in the technical assistance package. sa lceda added he will appeal to Marcos and Diokno to allow the BFAR to access funds from FishCoRe project towards “pre-project requirements for our hatcheries.”

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

The City of Taguig announced last Wednesday it saw an increase of P1.17 billion in business taxes after collecting P4.38 billion through its Business One stop shop (Boss) mechanism.

Taguig Mayor Maria Laarni “Lani” L. Cayetano expressed gratitude to business owners for setting up shop in the city and for paying their taxes. Cayetano emphasized these taxes come back in the form of services and benefits for Taguigeños. The city credits the increase in business-tax collections to a new system, following Cayetano’s order that allowed business owners to apply for permits and pay taxes “quickly, accurately and hassle-free.”

The Business Permits and Licensing Office and the City Treasurer’s Office integrated the payment of Barangay fees.

Business owners no longer needed to secure clearances from the barangays separately.

The Business Permits and Licensing Office said that new protocols for handling applications of taxpayers were implemented resulting in “fewer requirements and faster and more convenient” processing of permits.

Under its “Boss” mechanism for 2023, business owners could process business permits at a satellite office inside a shopping mall and at the newly-opened Convention Center at the new City ha ll Building, a statement from the city government read.

Once applications are approved, business owners can have their permit sent via courier or print it themselves, it added.

“The new system also allows applicants to view their billing statements online.” nonetheless, the latest post on the BPLO Facebook page noted a complainant who said it took 10 hours for the release of a document.

City Treasurer J. Voltaire L. enriquez said there is marked improvement not just in collection of taxes but in the overall operation of the local government’s Boss mechanism and customer satisfaction.

“Payment and releasing were fast; taxpayers did not line up until midnight to settle their taxes or wait for their business permits; there was no rush to beat the deadline; and there were no irate customers protesting,” enriquez said.