By: Boy Ryan B. Zabal
The Boracay Association of Resorts, Restaurants and Independent Allies, Inc. (BARRIA) is taking a clear stand on the proposed environmental fee (EF) of the local government of Malay. It stressed, “there could be negative feelings from the local and foreign tourists visiting the island-resort of Boracay.”
Max Zurbito, consultant of BARRIA, cited the proprietary authority of the local government of Malay to impose and collect taxes, tolls, licenses, fees and charges, but the proposed environmental fee has a negative effect on the promotion and marketing of Boracay Island as major and prime tourists destination.”
“We are not opposing to any collection of charges by the local government. The terminologies must be changed based on the Local Government Code because we believed this is the first time in the world that an island charges an environmental fee. We don’t want to be criticized by other sectors,” said Zurbito.
BARRIA claimed that “the environmental fee, in all its intent, purpose and meaning could either be regulatory fees and or by its nature a toll or admission/entrance fee.”
“The ordinance is excessive and prohibitory in character, for the visitors and tourists are clearly paying for their use of the facilities and services that the resorts, hotels and other service providers provide them. They (tourists) are paying the environmental maintenance/preservation fees in the form of sanitation fees for garbage disposal, liquid waste treatment or sewerage services,” Zurbito stressed.
The Sangguniang Bayan of Malay, however, agreed to reduce the P50 environmental fee to P30 during a consultation recently with Aklan Vice Governor Ronquillo Tolentino at Caticlan Jetty Port.
“I think the proposed environmental fee is justifiable to maintain the enjoyment of tourists in the island. We have to clean the beach everyday for garbage,” Vice Mayor Floribar Bautista said.
LAUDABLE MOVE
“The intent of the local government to raise funds for the general welfare is very much. However, the proposed ordinance on environmental fee would not be feasible, as it could invite critical opinions,” Zurbito pointed out.
BARRIA, instead, recommended to local legislators to amend the ordinance by requiring all hotels, resorts to set aside at least 5 percent out of the room accommodation charges collected from visitors and guests.
“It is of public knowledge that coordinators/guides collectively earn as high as 20 percent commission in room accommodations, but the sad truth is none of them declare any income tax from the commissions received from hotels,” Zurbito lamented. “They only pay mayor’s permit fee that is very minimal to exercise their profession,” he added.
BARRIA’s proposal requires the hotels and resorts to reduce the amount of commission granted to coordinators/guides and religiously submits to a special body with multi-sectoral representation the sales reports on room accommodations.
“The special body shall be created to manage the collection, safekeeping and disbursement of the funds exclusively for the environmental protection, preservation and maintenance aimed at promoting the island,” Zurbito said. /mphttp://madyaas_pen@yahoo.com
The Boracay Association of Resorts, Restaurants and Independent Allies, Inc. (BARRIA) is taking a clear stand on the proposed environmental fee (EF) of the local government of Malay. It stressed, “there could be negative feelings from the local and foreign tourists visiting the island-resort of Boracay.”
Max Zurbito, consultant of BARRIA, cited the proprietary authority of the local government of Malay to impose and collect taxes, tolls, licenses, fees and charges, but the proposed environmental fee has a negative effect on the promotion and marketing of Boracay Island as major and prime tourists destination.”
“We are not opposing to any collection of charges by the local government. The terminologies must be changed based on the Local Government Code because we believed this is the first time in the world that an island charges an environmental fee. We don’t want to be criticized by other sectors,” said Zurbito.
BARRIA claimed that “the environmental fee, in all its intent, purpose and meaning could either be regulatory fees and or by its nature a toll or admission/entrance fee.”
“The ordinance is excessive and prohibitory in character, for the visitors and tourists are clearly paying for their use of the facilities and services that the resorts, hotels and other service providers provide them. They (tourists) are paying the environmental maintenance/preservation fees in the form of sanitation fees for garbage disposal, liquid waste treatment or sewerage services,” Zurbito stressed.
The Sangguniang Bayan of Malay, however, agreed to reduce the P50 environmental fee to P30 during a consultation recently with Aklan Vice Governor Ronquillo Tolentino at Caticlan Jetty Port.
“I think the proposed environmental fee is justifiable to maintain the enjoyment of tourists in the island. We have to clean the beach everyday for garbage,” Vice Mayor Floribar Bautista said.
LAUDABLE MOVE
“The intent of the local government to raise funds for the general welfare is very much. However, the proposed ordinance on environmental fee would not be feasible, as it could invite critical opinions,” Zurbito pointed out.
BARRIA, instead, recommended to local legislators to amend the ordinance by requiring all hotels, resorts to set aside at least 5 percent out of the room accommodation charges collected from visitors and guests.
“It is of public knowledge that coordinators/guides collectively earn as high as 20 percent commission in room accommodations, but the sad truth is none of them declare any income tax from the commissions received from hotels,” Zurbito lamented. “They only pay mayor’s permit fee that is very minimal to exercise their profession,” he added.
BARRIA’s proposal requires the hotels and resorts to reduce the amount of commission granted to coordinators/guides and religiously submits to a special body with multi-sectoral representation the sales reports on room accommodations.
“The special body shall be created to manage the collection, safekeeping and disbursement of the funds exclusively for the environmental protection, preservation and maintenance aimed at promoting the island,” Zurbito said. /mphttp://madyaas_pen@yahoo.com
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