BAGUIO CITY, Dec. 26 (PNA) — Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan warned local government employees, through an Administrative Order (AO) issued on December 23, that only those directly involved in the processing of business permits may be allowed to handle said functions in their respective offices.
The warning was included in AO 179 – 2014, issued in preparation for the application for renewal or processing of business permits for 2015 beginning January 2.
The payment of real property taxes with corresponding discounts and giveaways for early taxpayers is ongoing.
Domogan cited Republic Act 6713 sec 3-k stating “No employee including their relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, including brother/sister-in laws and balae shall intercede and/or hand carry for and in behalf of any applicant/permittee for issuance of new or renewal of business permits”.
Employees who violate the order would be meted reprimand for the first offense, suspension for one to thirty days for the second offense, and dismissal from the service for the third offense.
The AO was issued to dispel favoritism and ensure fairness, due to acquaintance and familiarity and/or influence of employees with concerned offices that “create undue advantage over those taxpayers who do not have connections” or the ”palakasan” system.
Realty payments for the whole month of January is given 20% discount; on February, 15%; and March, 10%.
Taxpayers with surnames starting A to H will be accepted for the month of January; I to P in February and Q to Z, March 2015.
A 10% discount on garbage and sewerage fees will be given if these are paid on or before the 20th of every month.(PNA)