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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider 'Pay taxes or be blacklisted': Isko Moreno warns flood control contractors

'Pay taxes or be blacklisted': Isko Moreno warns flood control contractors

Published Sep 4, 2025 05:32 pm
Manila Mayor Francisco 'Isko Moreno' Domagoso
Manila Mayor Francisco 'Isko Moreno' Domagoso
Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Thursday, September 4, warned flood control contractors with P247 million in unpaid taxes that they will be blacklisted from securing city permits if they fail to settle their obligations.
Citing a report from the Office of the City Treasurer, Domagoso said contractors for 305 flood control projects have yet to pay the required contractors’ tax amounting to P247 million, with only nine projects compliant, having paid a total of P8.09 million. 
The delinquent projects, he noted, cover prior years, 2024 carry-overs, and 2025 allocations listed on the SumbongSaPangulo.ph website.
"What will be the action of the city? We will make sure, as a reminder and a warning to other government agencies, that these non-compliant companies will be blacklisted at the City Engineering Office and the Office of the City Building Official," Domagoso told reporters. 
The Mayor stressed that "no permits will be issued" to blacklisted contractors.
“If you’re going to hire said contractors, who are not following simple rules and obligations, hindi na sila makapaghahanapbuhay sa Maynila (they will no longer be allowed to do business in Manila),” he said.

Domagoso said the blacklist will also serve as a warning to government offices and private firms to check a contractor’s status with the city before entering into any agreements.
He added that the Manila city government will also elevate its complaint to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under Secretary Vince Dizon, who has already declared a policy of blacklisting erring companies nationwide.
According to city records, notices of unpaid obligations have already been sent to the contractors: 86 were personally received, 12 were refused, 192 are being delivered via courier, 12 through PhilPost, and three remain undelivered due to companies changing addresses. Domagoso clarified that refusing to receive notices will not exempt firms from liability.
“I wish them good luck. Binibigyan na namin ng due process, hindi ka pa (We are giving them due process, yet they still refuse to respond),” the mayor said.
Domagoso also warned that the city is prepared to pursue civil claims for city property damaged by contractors and file criminal charges against those found to have acted with bad intent in evading payment.
“We are only asking them to fulfill their obligations, but their businesses will be restricted if they continue to resist,” he added.
He criticized the double standard between ordinary citizens and big companies when it comes to compliance.
“Ang mahirap nito, 'yung ordinaryong pamilya, nagpapagawa ng bahay sinisingil ng contractor’s tax, building permit, zoning permit (The sad part here is that ordinary families building houses are required to pay contractor’s tax, building permits, and zoning permits). But these big companies, nasanay sila na walang gobyerno sa Maynila. Those days are over,” Domagoso said.

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