LC urges dental clinics to secure mayor’s permit

By Dominic B. dela Cruz

Staff Reporter

Laoag City treasurer Ma. Elena Asuncion is urging all dental clinics operating in Laoag to secure their mayor’s permit.

Asuncion explained that the city government will not tax them in the practice of their profession but if they are operating a clinic, they should secure a mayor’s permit to operate.

In view of this, Asuncion said they will again issue a second notice to the owners of dental clinics here for them to secure mayor’s permit.

Asuncion disclosed that even during the time of former city treasurer Erlinda Ragasa, only 14 dentists complied while the others resisted.

Laoag City General Hospital chief of hospital Dr. Francis Dacuycuy, for his part also believes that not all members of the medical society who have private clinics in the city fully understand the limitations of the professional tax receipt (PTR) in the conduct of their clinics.

Dacuycuy suggested that there must be a conference between the medical society and the treasurer’s office so that there will no longer be resistance in paying their obligations to the city government. He added that all the other professions who has their own clinics and offices should also be included.

Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas meanwhile promised to stand by what the law says.

Another city government official, Dr. Melvin Manuel mentioned that dental clinics in Manila are securing their mayor’s permits to operate. He added that Manila law offices also get their mayor’s permit.

Manuel then stressed that his clinic also secures a mayor’s permit from the city government religiously.

Adding his voice to the issue, city administrator Perry Martinez said that all businesses that operate under the jurisdiction of a local government unit should secure a mayor’s permit.

Martinez also emphasized that they are not singling out dentists and doctors as the call is for all professionals maintaining offices and clinics in Laoag.

Meanwhile, Asuncion announced that her office will also issue letters to other professionals maintaining offices and clinics in the city such as engineers, doctors and lawyers.

Asuncion reiterated that they will not be taxed on the practice of their professions because they are covered by the income tax law of the BIR and only the operation of the clinic would be taxed.

The city licensing division record shows that only two dental clinics have processed their mayor’s permit as of March 21, 2014.