By John Noel E. Herrera
The Iloilo City Government has officially launched the different offsite payment centers for business and property taxes in the city on Tuesday, Dec 20, 2022.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Trenas said that it is one way to bring the services closer to the people, as it is part of the city government’s vision to level-up public service for Ilonggos.
“We are constantly looking for ways to bring our services closer to the people, and ensure they feel and see that the city government is always working with them,” Trenas said.
The establishment of three off-site payment centers inside the Festive Walk Mall in Mandurriao district, and Atrium and Marymart Mall in City Proper are meant to make business transactions and tax payments more convenient and accessible for the public.
“Maglagaw-lagaw kamo didto, bayran niyo na lang dayon tax niyo para mas madasig, mahapos na para sa inyo kay waay na nagakadto to sa City Hall, ang oras niyo ma-schedule niyo pa,” Trenas said.
The city mayor also noted that the city government is not paying rental fees to the malls, citing the vital role of public-private partnership (PPP) in delivering services for the public.
The city government also requested the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to be part of the off-site payment center in Festive Walk Mall to cater to concerns of PEZA-accredited business process outsourcing companies.
“In this way, they will no longer have to go to Cebu to process their renewal of business permits because PEZA is already here,” Executive Assistant to the Mayor Francis Cruz previously said.
Aside from the said off-site payment centers, Trenas revealed that there will also be another one that will be placed in SM City Iloilo.
It is noted that the city government planned for the establishment of off-site payment centers at the height of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic by creating a system that is connected to the database in City Hall.
Iloilo City also adopted the new electronic Business Process Licensing System (eBPLS) to make business transactions faster and more transparent.
The city government noted that new applicants could already start creating their accounts this year and their new profile will serve as their access to their information, tax records, and payment.
Data from the city government indicated that more than 17,000 registered businesses in the city this year are expected to renew their permits next year.
