JVR to go after small food stalls

CEBU, Philippines - Even small food stores or "carenderia" should comply with all the required permits before operating their businesses.

This was according to Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes as he ordered the city treasury department to conduct inspection to know if food stores have business permits.

De los Reyes said he will be left with no choice but to padlock those establishments that are not following the law for their failure to secure business permits.

The move of the mayor stemmed from his recent experience in a carenderia located somewhere in Barangay San Roque near the Cebu South Coastal Road.

De los Reyes was reportedly upset when a waiter, thinking he could get away with it, served pork to the mayor when he specifically ordered goat meat. As an Adventist, the mayor does not sit well with pork.

Upon checking, the mayor found out the carenderia had expired license to operate.

"Ako naman silang gipasaylo pero ang akong pag-order for closure was because they have an expired license. Nagnegosyo man sila dinhi sa Talisay and it is fair enough for the city government nga mokolikta og share. Tuman lang gud ta sa balaod, total mobalik ra man gihapon ni pinaagi sa mga projects," De los Reyes said.

The mayor added they will be targeting sari-sari stores and other permanent structures selling dry goods with no permits.

Talisay City Councilor Doroteo Emit, chairman of the committee on labor, trade and industry, already passed an ordinance increasing the penalty against business establishments that fail to secure business permits.

Emit said a few business establishments have remained "stubborn because the fine is ridiculously small."

If Emit's proposal will be approved, Section 79 of the city ordinance on the Revised Revenue Code will be amended such that for every year that the Mayor's Permit was not secured, despite having paid the annual tax due, the penalty shall be P250 to P1,000 for declared gross sales of P50,000 to P100,000.

The penalty will be P5,000 for declared gross sales of P1 million.

The proposed ordinance is now under review by the council committee on laws. (FREEMAN)