Parañaque collects P2.8 billion in business taxes

MANILA, Philippines — The Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) of Parañaque City has collected P2.8 billion in business taxes and fees in the first two months of 2023.

Of the total P2.3 billion collection in 2022, business taxes reached P2.825 billion or bigger by P525 million for the month of January and February this year, according to a report released by lawyer Melanie Soriano-Malaya, BPLO chief.

Soriano-Malaya said the BPLO was able to raise uts collection after the office started the application and renewal of business permits through online transactions during the administraton of then mayor Edwin Olivarez.

She pointed out that business taxes collected by BPLO comprised 55 percent of the city’s total locally sourced revenue.

The city government introduced new features such as an online appointment system, online business application, use of online courier and delivery services, adoption of e-payment facilities and e-receipts for local government transactions.

Last month, when Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) inspected some Metro Manila local government units for compliance with the electronic business one-stop shop (eBOSS) requirement, only Parañaque was found fully compliant.

Parañaque was awarded a certificate of commendation by ARTA director general Ernesto Perez for fully setting up a functional eBOSS and streamlining their business permits and licensing procedures.

Aside from the eBOSS, ARTA is also set to validate compliance with other provisions of the law, including regulations on the business one-stop shop, citizen’s charter information billboard, citizen’s charter handbook and the feedback and complaints mechanism for government agencies.