SM CITY Olongapo was recognized for being the top taxpayer in the city for the year 2013 making it a remarkable benefactor for sustaining, maintaining, and improving the public services provided by government to its citizen.
Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino presented the plaque of appreciation to SM Asst. Mall Manager Engr. Bong Garcia, SM Department Store Branch Manager Jerry Dy and SM affiliates during the awarding ceremonies held at Rizal Triangle on April 7, 2014.
“It’s a commitment to the local government that we pay our taxes, with this, we uphold to our role as a catalyst for economic development,” remarked Garcia. For his part, Dy said, “It’s an honor to be recognized as the number one taxpayer for 2013. We will continue to be effective and effi cient taxpayer of this city.”
In a recent report issued by the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) on the top 20 business taxpayers for 2013, the SM group of companies took the first top two spots in terms of taxes paid with The SM Store taking Number 1.
Mayor Paulino thanked the business group for honestly paying their taxes and encouraged them to continue to pay their taxes. Other awardees from SM are Supervalue, Inc.(SM Supermarket), Familyhealth & Beauty Corp.(Watsons), Star Appliance Center, Inc.(SM Appliance), Jollibee Foods Corporation, Ace Hardware Philippines, Inc. and Abacus Book and Card Corporation( National Bookstore)
Other businesses which placed in the top 20 business taxpayers list are Sun Life of Canada (Phil., Inc., Avon Cosmetics, Inc., Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. Inc., Arvin Uy Ting, Ajinomoto Phil. Corp., Marinel Foods Corp., Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, Up line Foods Corp., Colorview Catv Inc.,Young Bing Custodio Chua, Expressions Stationery Shop Inc., Ascending Ray Corp., Our Lady of Lourdes International Medical Center Inc. and Lee, Zenaida Go.
In an interview, BPLO head Sandra Ecalnir, claimed the city was able to collect P50 million in taxes for last year.
She stressed that these taxes will be returned in the form of public service to the people.
