Mandaue City gov’t threatens to auction Cebu City abattoir

CEBU, Philippines - The controversial Cebu City abattoir, which is located along the Mahiga Creek in Mandaue City, may possibly be auctioned if the neighboring city will still fail to submit the documents required for its tax exemption.

This was the statement of Mandaue City Treasurer Regal Oliva during a press conference.

Oliva said that the ten-day deadline given to Cebu City to comply with the requirements has already lapsed. Oliva said that until now, he has only received a phone call asking him again about the list of requirements.

He said when he sent the first demand letter, he only gave Cebu City until last November 30 to comply with the requirements.

Among the documents the Mandaue City government asked from Cebu City included the abattoir’s financial report and its organizational chart to show proof of tax exemption.

Oliva explained that the financial report will show proof whether or not Cebu City abattoir is operating as an economic enterprise.

He also said that the business tax due from the Cebu City Government has increased.

“As to business tax, nagkataas ang ilang interest ug penalty. I don’t know if they’re serious in complying with the requirements. They were asking me again the requirements,” Oliva said.

Oliva said that since the Cebu City government still failed to show the tax exemption papers, he will send again another demand letter which will give it until February next year to finally comply with the requirements or else the property will go for public auction.

Aside from the Cebu City government’s failure to pay business taxes to Mandaue City for the past 13 years, the former also reportedly failed to pay regulatory fees to the Mandaue City government.

Oliva said that they will oblige Cebu City to pay the regulatory fees in January.  (FREEMAN)