LGU says sales tax receipt not permit to sell along sidewalks

MANILA -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) conducted another clearing operation in Baclaran in Parañaque on Wednesday after the ambulant vendors it had sent away just a day before returned to their spots.

Several vehicles were also towed for illegal parking.

Despite this, the MMDA vowed to be relentless in conducting street and sidewalk clearing operations in the area.

“Yung consistency ng ating pagki-clear, I think that is one key that will make sure na kahit papano, mabigyan ng tamang disiplina ang ating mga kababayan which are yung mga naka-illegal parking, vendors na naka-obstruct sa mga bangketa. Babalik-balikan po natin sila,” said Gabrel Go, the officer-in-charge of the MMDA’s Special Operations Group-Strike Force.

(Our consistency in conducting clearing operations will be key to imposing discipline on our constituents who are have illegally parked their vehicles or sidewalk vendors. We will come back for them.)

From Baclaran, the MMDA also went after sidewalk vendors along Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard to clear the build-up of traffic going to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).

“They are obstructing the sidewalk and aside from that, sila ang nagiging cause why nagkakaroon ng (they are causing) illegal parking. Yung mga sasakyan, tumitigil dito po sa kahabaan ng Macapagal Boulevard para bumili, kumain, etc,” said Go.

(Vehicles are stopping along Macapagal Boulevard to buy things or eat.)

But dozens of sidewalk vendors claimed that they were given permission by the local government of Parañaque to keep running their establishments in exchange for a fee. They even showed receipts for their payments.

“Rowena” said an employee of the city hall would visit them daily and charge P20 from each of the dozen vendors situated along the highway.

“Sinabi po niya kung may magsita, ipapakita lang namin ito kasi valid naman daw ito ng city hall,” she shared.

One vendor said she was being charged P20 for every table she laid out.

“Ang apat na lamesa ko, P80 ang binabayaran ko kasi per lamesa ang sabi niya sa’min e,” she said.

(I have paid P80 for four tables. We are being charged per table.)

The MMDA said it will ask the local government unit about the receipts but noted that it will not honor them.

“Yung pinakita nilang resibo, hindi naman po ito isang legal na dokumento that is giving them the authority na magkaroon sila ng business establishment doon… We will find out kung ano po ba ang nangyayari because, ang sinasabi nga natin, ang sidewalk is beyond the commerce of men so hindi pwedeng maging extension ng tindahan ito,” asserted Go.

(The receipt they are showing is not a legal document giving them the authority to have a business establishment..we will find out what is happening because a sidewalk is beyond the commerce of men so it cannot be the extension of a store.)

PARAÑAQUE LGU SAYS SALES TAX RECEIPT NOT A BUSINESS PERMIT

The city government of Parañaque told ABS-CBN News that it charges sidewalk vendors with a P20 sales tax. But it clarified that the receipt does not constitute as a permit to sell their goods in any particular area.

“Alcabala yung tawag namin doon. Kasi diba ang power of taxation pwede ka sa lahat, even legal or illegal, basta nagbebenta,” said city administrator Atty. Voltaire dela Cruz.

(We call that Alcabala. A power of taxation covers everyone who sells, whether legal or illegal.)

“But this should not be treated as or this should not be confused with business permit. Kung andon ka sa bangketa (If you are on the sidewalk), that is still illegal. But we are charging sales tax because you are doing sales,” he added.

Dela Cruz explained that their treasury officers are the ones who collect the sales tax. But the city also has another team that conducts clearing operations against the vendors, similar to what the MMDA does.

In order to help the displaced vendors, dela Cruz said the local government plans to put up an establishment where they can continue to sell their goods without being an inconvenience to pedestrians and causing traffic. This is in partnership with the MMDA and the Philippine Reclamation Authority.

“We are building the tinatawag natin na Baclaran Gateway Market across Baclaran Church… para lahat ng madi-displace nating vendors dyan natin ilalagay (so that's where we'll place all the displaced vendors). We’re certain we could start the construction this year,” he said.

One vendor hopes this project can come sooner so they can finally earn a living without the fear of constant demolitions.

“Pakiusap ko sa gobyerno, sana yung mga ganitong hanapbuhay dapat suportahan nila. Yung iba nga dyan nagnanakaw dahil hindi makapag-hanapbuhay. Pero kami, naghahanapbuhay kami, marangal,” he said.

(We are asking the government to support this kind of livelihood. Some people steal or commit because they can't work. But here, we're earning a decent living.)