Marikina City Mayor Maan Teodoro on Monday, Jan. 19, warned city government employees against discourteous behavior toward the public following complaints from taxpayers and business owners about the alleged bad behavior of city hall workers during the payment of real property taxes (RPT) and the renewal of business permits.

"Dismayado po ako at medyo naiinis. May mga ulat at reklamo tayong natanggap na may ilang nagbayad ng RPT at nag-renew ng kanilang business permit na nasungitan at hindi naging maganda ang karanasan. Hindi po ito katanggap-tanggap, at hindi ito ang serbisyong ipinagmamalaki ng Marikina (I am disappointed and a little annoyed. We have received reports and complaints that some who paid RPT and renewed their business permits were treated disrespectfully and had a bad experience. This is unacceptable, and this is not the service that Marikina prides itself on)," Teodoro said.

According to her, the Marikina City Hall experienced a surge of taxpayers paying real property taxes in December and January, followed by a wave of business permit renewals at the start of the year, leading to long lines and heavy activity in government offices.

Despite this, she reminded all city employees that courtesy, respect, and compassion must prevail at all times, regardless of workload or pressure.

“Kaya malinaw ang paalala ko sa ating lahat: maging magalang tayo sa ating mga kliyente. Tandaan po natin ang core natin—ang pag-aalaga o ang Alagang Marikina. At sa pag-aalaga, walang puwang ang nakakunot na noo, nakataas na kilay, o bibig na nakasimangot. Pagod man tayo o marami ang kausap, respeto at malasakit pa rin ang dapat nangingibabaw (So my clear reminder to all of us: let us be respectful to our clients. Let us remember our core—care or the Alagang Marikina. And in care, there is no room for a furrowed brow, raised eyebrows, or a frowning mouth. Whether we are tired or have a lot to talk to, respect and concern should still prevail)," Teodoro stressed.

The mayor also directed offices handling complaints and requests, particularly those managing Marikina e-Concern, to ensure prompt, clear, and accountable action on all concerns raised by residents.

“Siguruhing nasasagot ang bawat reklamo, may malinaw na aksyon, at may tamang update sa ating mga kababayan. Dahil anumang concern na hindi naaaksyunan ay nagiging repleksyon ng buong departamento (Ensure that every complaint is answered, there is clear action, and there is proper update to the public. Because any concern that is not acted upon becomes a reflection of the entire department)," she said.

“Huwag niyong gawing basketball na pinapasa-pasa lang ang requests ng ating mga kababayan. Tugunan agad kung kinakailangan, kung kailangan dumirekta kayo sa akin para mas mabilis matugunan, gawin natin. Ang gusto natin: lahat ng kanilang requests at concerns ay ma-address nang tama at mabilis (Don't turn the requests of the public into a basketball game where they are just passed around. Respond immediately if necessary, if necessary, direct them to me for faster response, let's do it. What we want is that all their requests and concerns to be addressed correctly and quickly)," she explained.