More greed and stupidity from City Hall! This new device tax will just
introduce another source of graft and corruption and more red tape. If the
City really wants to improve revenue collection, it should make a real
attempt to stamp out corruption (and go for the big fish in City Hall
itself).
Is there any way to let City Hall know what we think of this measure? How
can we reach them?
---
CH polishes proposed measure to collect electronic device fees
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2008/03/01/news/ch.polishes.proposed.measure.to.collect.electronic.device.fees.html
THE Cebu City Government is drafting the ordinance that will enforce a
National Building Code provision allowing local government units (LGUs) to
collect electronic fees.
Once the measure is approved by the City Council, every computer unit,
electrical outlet and telephone node, for example, can be taxed. Councilor
Roberto Cabarrubias, head of the committee on information technology, said
he is crafting the ordinance following a meeting with City engineers, the
city building official and Mayor Tomas Osmeña.
The ordinance is in line with the City Government's thrust to improve
revenue collection.
"This will be a joint ordinance with Councilor Nestor Archival, chairman
of the (council) committee on infrastructure," said Cabarrubias.
According to Section 7 of the building code, the electronic fees, which
depend on the taxed item, range from P2.40 per unit to P1,000.
The section covers a wide range of taxable electronic devices and gadgets,
including all forms of wired and wireless communications like Internet
service and facsimile, with a P2.40 per port tax.
Broadcast stations for both radio and television, relay or receiving
stations, maintenance centers, control centers and structures or locations
used for electronics and communication services like radar and global
positioning are also imposed a per location tax of P1,000.
Automated teller machines, ticketing, vending and other types of
electronic dispensing machines, too, are taxable at P10 per unit.
The same amount can be demanded as tax for hospital equipment like x-ray,
scanners, ultrasound and other devices used for medical, laboratory and
testing purposes.
Cabarrubias said the electronic fees item of Memorandum Circular 1, series
of 2004, which sets the new schedule of building permit fees and other
charges, remain unenforced in Cebu city.
He said implementing the fees can be done by the City's team of
inspectors by including it in its annual inspection of structures.
And new building applications will not only require electrical and
sanitary permits, among others, but also electronics permit, necessitating
the employment of an accredited electronics engineer by the City.
"Unya ang mga electronics engineers, magamit na unya nila ang ilang
lisensya, kay kinahanglanon na man unya ang ilang pirma sa plano (Then the
electronic engineers will then be able to use their license because their
signature will be needed for the building plan)," the councilor said.
He said, though, that implementation will be gradual so as not to confuse
the businesses with the new law. RHM
--
Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to
do what we ought. -- Pope John Paul II
--[Manny [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Alternative Information and Opinion at http://www.phnix.net
Advocacy blog: http://mamador.wordpress.com
Personal website: http://mannyamador.multiply.com
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