Business owners told: Settle taxes by July 20

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Government is reminding business owners to settle their third-quarter business taxes by July 20, 2026.

This comes as Mayor Nestor Archival recently revealed in his State of the City Address that the city is still grappling with a P1.12-billion budget deficit despite reducing the shortfall by more than P2.3 billion through cost-cutting measures.

The Office of the City Treasurer has set Monday, July 20, 2026, as the deadline for the payment of business taxes, fees, and charges for the third quarter.

Those who fail to pay on time will face a 25 percent surcharge and a 2 percent monthly interest charge until the obligation is fully settled.

To make payments more accessible, satellite offices will be open at SM Seaside City Cebu (Ground Floor, near the Land Transportation Office) and Robinsons Galleria Cebu (4th Floor) on July 11 and July 18.

Taxpayers are also encouraged to use the city's online payment facility through its official website.

City Treasurer Officer-in-Charge Emma Villarete urged business owners to pay early to avoid long queues and last-minute transactions.

The city emphasized that timely tax payments are vital to sustaining essential public services and development programs for Cebuanos.

This reminder comes on the heels of the recently concluded Real Property Tax Amnesty Program, which allowed property owners to settle long-standing delinquencies without penalties, surcharges, or interest.

The amnesty, which was extended until July 5, 2026, was part of the administration's effort to ease financial burdens while strengthening the city's fiscal foundation.

The RPVARA law was signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on June 13, 2024. It aims to standardize, streamline, and enhance the country's valuation and assessment of real property through a uniform appraisal system that complies with international standards.

Among its key provisions is a two-year amnesty program that allows property owners to settle unpaid RPT obligations incurred before July 5, 2024, by paying only the basic tax due.

The two-year grace period began on July 5, 2024, and ended on July 4, 2026.

All penalties, surcharges, and interest are waived, giving taxpayers a clean slate while boosting local government revenue collection.

In his first State of the City Address last Tuesday, Mayor Archival disclosed that Cebu City had reduced its budget deficit from P3.43 billion in 2025 to P1.12 billion as of June 30, 2026.

He credited the improvement to austerity measures such as a hiring freeze under the “No Appointment, No Work” policy, energy-saving initiatives, and tighter controls on operating expenses.

Despite the progress, Archival admitted that the city continues to face a significant funding gap, underscoring the importance of sustaining revenue collection, including business taxes, to support infrastructure, health, education, and other programs. — /IHM (FREEMAN)