LOCAL FIRMS GO BANKRUPT

MAASIN CITY – The recent influx of big commercial establishments in the city has started to hurt the old time businesses here and many are contemplating closing shop.

This phenomenon was revealed to the Times by prominent grocery and hardware owners whose companies have been operating in Maasin City for more than two decades.

The prominent businessmen who requested anonymity called the Times on behalf of their business colleagues for what they believe was unfair treatment by city hall on long-time local business establishments in the city.

They said "We've lost 75 percent of our earnings due to the city administration's policy of providing incentives to entice external investors into the city.

"We understand that there is such a thing as free trade and we respect it, but if we give these investors local tax cuts, shouldn't we enjoy the same benefits?

"The local tax cuts themselves gives us old timers a big handicap. We've had to lay off half of our employees who are no longer earning income for their family.

All we are asking our local officials whom we have known since childhood is a level playing field so we can survive and continue doing
what we were destined by God to do." The businessmen claimed. They said the city's business policy would also affect our Internal Revenue Allotment because it is based on the BIR's collection from local businesses.

If local enterprises start paying lower taxes due to lower income our city's IRA will automatically decrease.

Which means the city's allocation for basic services would also diminish.

They claim the "unfair" treatment they were getting from city hall was obvious in the no parking signs in front of their establishments. "Do you see any 'no parking signs' in front of the new malls in the city?" The businessmen added.

"I have been operating my company for many years and to tell you frankly I am seriously considering closing my business because if the current situation continues I will have no choice but to do so." One of the sources lamented.

The local businessmen are now planning to submit a formal complaint to the city council with the hope that city hall will then level the playing field.(By RUEVIVAR "Wowie" REYES)

Other News

Quarrying face-off set

Roxas listens to local media

Abaca harvest down 75 percent

Pneumonia is our top killer

Bontoc councilor hit by protests

Sogod mayors need 2m to combat crown of thorns

Maasin City's Anjonay fiesta

Most southern Leyteños prefer civil weddings

Saddle road to be reconstructed

"Tabo sa DepEd" to open this July

Provincial board highlights

Local gas prices probes

We need an agrressive population control program

Engineer Veloso twits critics

Miss Southern Leyte candidates 2012