The city government rolled out its smart city project for ease of doing business that also addresses the crowding of people who pay their business and real property taxes and renew permits.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said business and real property owners no longer have to line up at City Hall to transact as they can do it at the comfort of their homes.
Magalong said via www.baguioinmypocket.ph, taxpayers can get their assessment and pay through the bank.
“Puwede na nilang i-download ang assessment form para hindi na pumila,” Magalong said.
This process cuts two stages in the renewal of business permits.
Magalong said online assessment and payment also prevents crowding.
The online assessment system started in the last quarter of 2020 and actual implementation started on Jan. 4.
“Meron pa tayong konting hitches sa online transaction kaya makikita niyo na may konting pila pa, pero hindi tulad last year na talagang mahaba,” Magalong said.
The glitches are being ironed out by the City Treasury Office and Information Technology Business Solutions, the company helping the city government in its Smart City and the Baguio in my Pocket projects for free.
Aside from the online tax assessment, the city has also decentralized the issuance of the community tax certificate, working permit, police clearance, professional tax receipt or occupation fee, and residential garbage fee.
“Puwede nang kunin sa barangay ang mga cedula. Makikita n’yo, the number of people lining up to transact business with our Treasury Office has been highly reduced,” Magalong said.
Aside from making available online some of the processes, the City Treasury Office and the Permits and Licensing Division also came up with a scheme to avoid overcrowding.
The processing of permits for January is for businesses with names starting with letters A to H; February for I to P; and March for Q to Z and those that start with numeric or special characters.
Processing of business permits was also split into two venues – at the Baguio Central School covered court for new business, change of location, an additional line of business change of management; while renewal of business permit, retirement of business permit, and special permit are done at the Permits and Licensing Office at the City Hall. – PNA
April 26, 2024
