Quezon City boosts security at city hall

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City government said it has deployed more security personnel and uniformed policemen within and outside the city hall compound to protect taxpayers from unscrupulous individuals and fixers.

Mayor Herbert Bautista said he gave city public order and safety chief Elmo San Diego instructions to secure the different income-generating offices, where tax payments for business and real property usually peak during the first quarter of the year.

“Taxpayers need protection during payment of business and real property tax because some of them might be tempted to deal with fixers just to avoid the long queues,” he said.

A city government ordinance bans fixers within the vicinity of government offices. Violators may be fined P5,000, jailed for one year or both.

Bautista reminded taxpayers that the city government had already put in place simple and easy steps in the application and renewal of business permits and payment of real property tax in order to maintain the city’s business-friendly status.

At the same time, he pointed out that the Millionaire’s Club lounge has been set up at the second floor of the city hall to cater to the needs of taxpayers who will pay P1 million and above.