THE DAVAO City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) is aiming to release by end-February its study on the business tax increase implemented by the local government this year, which has drawn complaints from various sectors.

DCCCII President Arturo M. Milan said the study, which is mainly a comparative analysis of rates with other major cities, will be presented to the city council for consideration in view of assessing Davao’s competitiveness and investment promotion campaign.

“We’re really studying and we’re still in the process now of gathering data… because it will really impact on the city’s investment promotion,” Mr. Milan told the media.

He said among the comparative data they will present are those from the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Bacolod, and Iloilo.

The DCCCII head said they received numerous feedback in January, the period of business permit renewal, about the steep increase in rates.

“Some complained about why the fees they had to pay were so high, particularly on the industries of poultry and car dealers,” he said in Filipino and English.

In an earlier interview, Mr. Milan also noted that the business permit increase could hurt micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises.

“We just wanted to compare for whatever it’s worth for the city. It’s really a mandate of a city to generate taxes, but taxes that’s at least comparable to others,” Mr. Milan said, “We need to look at this on a bigger perspective that will also determine our competitiveness as a city.” — Maya M. Padillo

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