Office can't check on personal data

CEBU, Philippines - The Business Tax and License Fees Division of the Cebu City Treasurer’s Office admitted they are not keen on verifying the personal data of applicants for a business permit.

They also do not have the means to determine if the applicant is using a fictitious name in the application for business permit and renewal, they only require the Tax Identification Number of the company and not necessarily the personal TIN of the applicant.

They also do not require the home address but only the address of the business establishment where the inspection team will visit to check the establishment’s compliance to the area requirements.

The case of the review center that victimized students who were supposed to take review classes for the upcoming OIC Licensure Examination for Marine Officers this July was the first reported in Cebu City, a City Hall employee said.

When one of the victims went to the CTO to access the business records of the Argo-Nautical Tutorial Services owned by a certain Kenneth Erejer, they were able to get the previous permits and certificates submitted to the office but found no substantial lead as to the whereabouts of Erejer.

Argo-Nautical Tutorial Services ceased operation last May 8, a day before the supposed start of the review classes.

One of the victims complained to City Hall because he can no longer contact the branch manager for a refund.

Mendel Mueva paid P14,000 when he enrolled last April 7. He was upset that the review center still accepted registrants when it was already planning to close down.

They also learned at the CTO that Argo-Nautical Tutorial Services did not renew its business permit this year. Instead, the owner registered a new business in the name of Infinite Review Center which has the same address as the office that closed down.

In all his permits and certificates, Erejer only indicated his business address.

Juanita Monina Paires of the Tax Mapping Section said that they already sent a demand letter to Argo-Nautical Tutorial Services but it was not delivered since the office is already closed. The CTO is sending demand letters to all establishments that did not renew their business permits.

She said that they cannot do anything about the complaint of Mueva because their office only makes sure that business establishments are paying the right taxes. The CTO does not have mechanisms to determine if the business is sustainable.

Paires said Argo-Nautical Tutorial Services was able to pay its taxes last year but decided not to renew this year. The Infinite Review Center, which was the new name registered under Erejer was issued a business permit in March this year.

Jane Abarquez, OIC of the Permits Section, said that Infinite Review Center may continue operating but if they already changed the address, they have to file for a change of address.

If the business decided to stop permanently, the owner must file for retirement. (FREEMAN)