City to review ordinances on fees and charges

CEBU, Philippines -  The Cebu City government will review all existing ordinances on fees and charges that were enacted and implemented by the barangays in the city.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo has issued a memorandum addressed to the mayors of all cities and municipalities of the country, explaining the move is to ensure that the fees and charges imposed by the barangays are not unjust or excessive, and that if these ordinances have undergone public hearing prior to their enactment.

The City Council’s Committee on Laws and Ordinances, headed by Councilor Edgardo Labella, is the one that reviews all newly-enacted barangay ordinances, especially if they involve collection of taxes and other charges. It is also the one that declares the ordinance illegal after committee members found out during review that the procedures in the enactment of the ordinance are not fully complied with.

Labella said the committee also sees to it that the proposed barangay ordinance should not be oppressive, confiscatory in nature and would involve double taxation.

Robredo’s directive was issued amid complaints received by the DILG on the alleged excessive fees and charges and burdensome or extraneous documentary requirements imposed by some barangays especially on the issuance of barangay clearance.

The DILG Secretary said that while the barangay, as the smallest local government unit, has the power to enact their own sources of revenue under the Local Government Code of 1991, such power is not absolute as the Code itself provides certain limitations.

Robredo said the mayors should ensure that barangay taxes, fees, charges and other obligations are based on the respective taxpayer’s ability to pay.

The barangays are empowered to impose taxes on stores or retailers with fixed business establishments that have gross sales or receipts of P50,000 or less in cities and P30,000 or less for towns at a rate not exceeding one percent on such sales.

The barangays are also allowed to levy fees or charges for services rendered in connection with the regulation or use of barangay-owned properties or service facilities; for the issuance of barangay clearance; on commercial breeding of fighting cocks, cockfights and cockpits; on places of recreation with admission fees; and on billboards, signboards, neon signs and outdoor advertisements, the DILG Secretary said.

But Robredo said any barangay may conceptualize other forms of income-generating sources, for as long as the restrictions and limitations are observed and the procedures surrounding the enactment of revenue-raising barangay ordinances are complied.  (FREEMAN)