Fees imposed on telecoms for use of Sagada town air

By Gina Dizon

SAGADA, Mountain Province - For a fifth class municipality generating  only  P2 million local fees and taxes a year despite its being a top tourist destination in the north, more  income is  being  eyed to make this town financially earn a little more.

An ordinance was approved by the SanggunianBayna imposing annual charges on telecommunication facilities for use of the municipal aerial wealth imposing fees and charges for a mayor’s permit amounting to P150,000; P70, 000 per unit of antennae; and P250,000 for towers of cell sites.

Sagada municipal treasurer Linda Donato wrote Smart and Globe Telecommunication companies of the ordinance approved by the SangguniangPanlalawigan which took effect year January 1, 2013.

Municipal ordinance No 03-2012 forms part of the contents of the revised municipal revenue code.

SMART and Globe companies are expected to pay Sagada government P2 million pesos in 2013, vice mayor Richard Yodong said in a press conference with Montanosa Press Club here.

Smart telecom with its relay tower built in 1998 and Globe telecom in 2005 pay their real property (tower) taxes and the annual mayor’s permit aside from the annual land rent to lot owners. 

Yodong said while there are taxes the companies  pay in Manila, there are also fees they pay to the local LGU.  

Business taxes are being paid in Manila where the companies’ national offices are based.

Also in said press conference, councilor Francis Kilongan called attention on fees charged for film making and documentation for commercial purposes done within the town’s jurisdiction.

Municipal ordinance 02-2010 passed June 21, 2010 provides specific fees on film making and other related activities.

Based on said  ordinance, independent film makers  pay P25,000; postcard makers of P4,000; any documentation for commercial purposes  at P10,000;  documentation of community  rituals and  cultural practices  at P20,000; and  P50,000 for filming advertisements and soap operas.  

It has been noted that Sagada has been hosting film making, product advertisements, video making, and photography of the town’s sceneries for commercial postcards through the years without imposing fees.  

The 2010 ordinance setting film making and documentation fees did not register payments, it was learned from the treasury office.