Rejoice in silence

Egay Uy . 

THE City Finance Office of Cagayan de Oro proudly announced during a Monday flagaising ceremony that its collection of fees related to business permits as of the deadline set was P69 million more than the collection last year.

It was a feat indeed, but what was not mentioned were the efforts contributed by those in the inspection function of the city government – the Joint Inspection Team and the Regulatory and Complaint Board, specifically the RCB Inspectorate Team.  When the announcement was made, members of both teams were rejoicing, although in silence.  Team players as they have always been, they know their efforts have significantly contributed to the dramatic increase in the collection of business permit fees.

Last year, both the JIT and the RCB-IT have been relentless in issuing notices of violations to inspected regulated entities, among which is the failure to renew, update, or even secure business permits.  Without the inspections, the fees that the inspected businesses have paid would have become foregone revenue.  Even the RCB board members themselves have personally conducted regular information and enforcement activities during the year

To the Joint Inspection Team, the RCB, and its Inspectorate Team, let’s continue making the job.

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The City Price Coordinating Council has conducted an inspection and monitoring activity of petroleum products retailers in the City.  This was done in collaboration with the Department of Energy – Davao City Office.

The inspection and monitoring was focused on the quantities of fuel – gasoline and diesel – delivered by the petrol retailers to their customers to ensure that consumer get their money’s worth.  Since there is no regulation with respect to the prices of petroleum products, consumer protection may be done through ensuring the delivery of the correct quantities to buyers.

The CdeO-CPCC is chaired by Mayor Oscar S. Moreno and co-chaired by this writer.  The DTI Provincial Office sits as vice chairperson through Ms. Almer Masillones.  The said office also provides secretariat services through Ms. Roxy San Juan.

While the CdeO-CPCC ultimately protects the rights of the consumers with respect to basic necessities and prime commodities, it is closely coordinating with the City Committee on Trade and Commerce under the chairmanship of Councilor George S. Goking, who authored the city ordinance requiring all barangays to designate their respective barangay consumer welfare officers.

Regulated entities should understand that regulators are not anti-business but are proegulation.  Moreover, regulators and regulated entities should co-exist harmoniously.

(Egay Uy is a lawyer. He chairs the City’s Regulatory and Complaint Board, co-chairs with the city mayor the City Price Coordinating Council, and chairs the city’s Joint Inspection Team.  He retired as a vice president of Cepalco.)