Senator Nancy Binay on Tuesday urged local government units (LGUs) to extend the deadline for payment for real property tax and business permits to avoid influx of taxpayers amid the surge of COVID-19 cases in the country.
Binay made the appeal after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 33,169 new coronavirus infections on Monday.
The senator said it would be best if LGUs, especially in the National Capital Region (NCR) and areas, where there is a surge of COVID-19 cases, consider the move of the Manila city government and extend the deadline for the payment of business permits until March 31.
“Given the current spike in COIVD-19 cases, extending the deadlines would greatly help restrict the movements of people,” Binay said in a statement.
“We call on our local governments to, as much as possible, extend the deadline of payment for real property tax and business permits. And as consideration, please let’s not impose penalties on our taxpayers,” she added.
“...Extending the deadlines would really help prevent people from congregating,” she reiterated.
Binay also urged LGUs to promote digital payment options to enable people to pay their taxes on time and from the safety of their homes.
“LGUs should definitely look at integrating electronic modes of payment in the collection of payment of taxes and fees,” Binay said.
She also said LGUs should provide some leeway to those who are required to be physically present to submit and sign documents.
Binay said LGUs can temporarily accept digital or electronic copies pending verification or submission of original documents.
“It would be more convenient for their constituents and would help prevent long queues or gathering especially when they pay for a permit and submit documents,” she stressed.