Santiago City opens biz under strict health rules

By Merlito G. Edale, Jr.

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela -- The city government of Santiago has opened most  business establishments here but workers and their customers have to strictly comply with maximum health and safety protocols, city officials said. 

Santiago City Mayor Joseph S. Tan said the opening of business establishments is a balancing act of the city government where the health and economy is deeply considered based on the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases issuances and resolutions to ensure the health of the public.

“Our Business Permit and Licensing Office has allowed additional opening of important line of businesses except for some,” Mayor Tan said during the network briefing news hosted by PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar Wednesday.

Tan said commerce is ongoing now especially for incoming and outgoing of food products that are essential for the consumption of Santiago City residents including its nearby LGUs.

Santiago City is considered as the commercial hub of region 2 and parts of the Cordillera where agriculture products are sold and supplies its excess to the National Capital Region.

He said business tax is one of the sources of income of the city government other than the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) that is provided by the national government.

Tan said that the taxes collected from business establishments are utilized as additional fund in the delivery of basic services, programs and projects for the benefit of Santiaguenos. -- PIA-2 Isabela