Mandaue: Owners must pay permit fee

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City treasurer Regal Oliva yesterday said whoever owns the “Never Again” tarpaulin mounted at the Cebu International Convention Center should pay the city the corresponding permit fees.

“I will (recommend to the City Engineering Office to assess how much the permit fees for the poster). That’s a revenue (I will collect) to the last cent.  As a treasurer I have to collect. I have a target. If it’s only a few thousand or centavos, we have to collect because it’s the people’s money,” Oliva said.

Oliva said they need to pay the billboard fee, which is measured by the square foot. He cited as an example posters owned by private entities that are hung from city-owned lampposts, these are covered by billboard fees.

He said the fees are retroactive to the day the banner was put up.

“We have to know first if the person is a taxable entity. If moingon si Province sila diay or simbahan ang gabutang ana, dili ta ka-tax. (But we can ask) people manning the property, I think they have to know,” he said.

The Capitol has denied putting up the banner, although it did not order for its removal.

But if Davide will not do it, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes can, said Oliva. That is, if the group behind it will not pay the corresponding fees.

“The mayor has the power to remove it if they will not pay the fee.  We have to recommend the mayor for drastic measures: removal and collection of fees,” Oliva said.

The group that put up the banner expressed willingness to take it down if the Mandaue City government, which owns the lot where the facility stands, demands it.

However, Renil Oliva, spokesman of the Cebuanos for Good Governance and Development (C-GAD), said that the message of the banner only expresses their crusade against corruption and serves as basis in choosing leaders in the 2016 elections, so there is really no reason to have it removed.

“Kung sa Cebu in particular, pinakahait nga mga issue panahon sa miaging admininstration kay ang CICC man gyod. Wa magamit, wa mapusli, pero nausik ang kwarta sa katawhan. Part ni sa among pag-educate sa mga botante ug kabatan-onan,” he told reporters.

He explained that the plan to mount the banner was decided among the coalition’s members composed of anti-corruption groups, teachers, lawyers and former student leaders.

But he said they will comply with the necessary requirements that Mandaue City will ask.  C-GAD met with Davide in his office yesterday morning to explain its side and the group’s background.

When interviewed by the media, Davide said C-GAD is a legitimate coalition with a good cause. He added the group will be launched in November and will be introducing itself to the public through a radio hopping activity.

He maintained that he has no objection to the group’s cause because it coincides with what his administration is espousing.  (FREEMAN)