BY JOHNNY NOVERA
BY coincidence, the idea espoused in our column last week for the city of Iloilo to adopt at this stage of our development, “Attract more Investors: No Tax Increase Please”, is also the unanimous stand of various business groups in our city. They are one in saying that increasing real estate taxes might in turn drive investors away.
As you must have read their joint statement, eight business groups in Iloilo, through their clubs or associations, called on the city government to improve instead tax collection at this time and remain business-friendly to attract more investors. They are the:
- Iloilo Business Club
- Iloilo Chapter of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)
- Iloilo Multi-Sectoral Business Organization, Inc.
- Ilonggo Producers Association
- Federation of Filipino Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Panay, Inc.
- Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
- Philippine Retailers Association of Iloilo, Inc.; and
- Chamber of Real Estate Builders’ Association of Iloilo.
Joemarie Agriam, governor for Western Visayas of PCCI, also expressed the view that the city should keep itself business-friendly with low taxes to continue attracting more investors and this, in turn, can result in bigger revenues.
We believe Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog should welcome this show of unity and concern of various business groups of Iloilo in signing a joint statement that we continue to keep the city attractive to business growth.
In turn, he can take this opportunity to thank them for their support of his administration and challenge everyone to help in a more efficient collection of taxes in their respective groups or areas of influence.
We also took note of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and Zoning Ordinance currently in force as enacted by our City Council on September 19, 2012, for the years 2011-2020. The big job ahead is now with City Engineer Roberto Divinagracia to anticipate buildings and other structures to rise in the city, especially along the circumferential road where there might be more expansion or new business.
Has he alerted his people to anticipate and prepare themselves for the great task ahead?
With the expected business expansion in Iloilo City, we can either become a premier city that we aim to be or turn into a concrete jungle.
With the awesome job ahead, perhaps our city engineering office can involve our barangay kapitanes to report any new construction or land use in their barangays to alert the city engineer if there is any impropriety or violation of the zoning plan. (For comments or reactions, please e-mail jnoveracompany@yahoo.com)/PN
