Suspension of Annual Tourism Regulatory Fees for Tour Guides and ECO-Tourism Guides for the Year 2021

January 25, 2021 Excerpts from the Journal of Proceedings of the 76th Regular Session of the 16th Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Puerto Princesa Held on January 25, 2021 at the Session Hall of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. PUERTO PRINCESA CITY ORDINANCE NO. 1110 AN ORDINANCE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDING THE IMPOSITION OF ANNUAL TOURISM REGULATORY FEES OF TOUR GUIDES AND COMMUNITY ECO-TOURISM GUIDES PROVIDED FOR IN CHAPTER X, ARTICLE B, SECTION 10B. 02 (5) OF THE CITY ORDINANCE NO. 794, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE REVISED REVENUE CODE OF PUERTO PRINCESA CITY OF 2016" UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2021 Sponsored by: Committee on Legal Matters WHEREAS , Article II, Section 9 of the Philippine Constitution provides, that: "The state shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity x x x and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and improved quality of life for all;" WHEREAS , Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 provides, that: "The local government unit shall promote the general welfare of its inhabitants"; WHEREAS , on March 8, 2020, President Rodrigo Rea Duterte issued a Proclamation No. 922, declaring a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines and ordered all local government units to render full assistance and cooperation, and mobilize the necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent, and appropriate response and measures in a timely manner to curtail and eliminate the COVID-19 threat; WHEREAS , the restriction on the movement of people to, from and within the City, particularly the past year, has a vast impact to the economy to the whole tourism industry particularly to the members of the different Tour Guide Associations and Community ECO-Tourism Tour Guide Associations in the City of Puerto Princesa; WHEREAS , the members of the different Tour Guide Association and Community Eco-Tourism Tour Guide Associations in the City of Puerto Princesa will renew their respective licenses, permits and clearances for the year 2021 with the City Government of Puerto Princesa; WHEREAS , under Chapter X, Article B, Section 10B. 02 (5) of the City Ordinance No. 794, otherwise known as "The Revised Revenue Code of Puerto Princesa City of 2016," the present Annual Tourism Regulatory Fees is One Thousand Six Hundred Fifty (Php1,650.00) Pesos for Local Tour Guide and Three Hundred Thirty (Php330.00) Pesos for Community ECO Tourism Guide; WHEREAS , Section 458 (a), (3), (ii) of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the "Local Government Code of 1991," essentially provides that the Sangguniang Panlungsod has the power to regulate of fix licenses fees for any business of practice of profession within the city and the conditions under which the license for said business or practice of profession may be revoked and enact the ordinances levying taxes thereon; WHEREAS , there is a considerable reason to suspend the implementation of such Annual Tourism Regulatory Fees imposed to the members of different Tour Guide Associations and Community ECO-Tourism Guide Associations in the City of Puerto Princess considering the limited arrival of tourists in the City due to COVID-19 pandemic. NOW THEREFORE , on motion of Hon. Henry A. Gadiano, City Councilor, Asst. Majority Floor Leader, Acting Majority Floor Leader. BE IT ORDAINED , by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Puerto Princesa in session assembled, that: SECTION 1. Title . This Ordinance shall be known as the "Suspension of Annual Tourism Regulatory Fees for Tour Guides and ECO-Tourism Guides for the year 2021." SECTION 2. Coverage . This Ordinance shall cover all accredited Tour Guides and Community ECO-Tourism Guides of the City of Puerto Princess. SECTION 3. Suspension of Annual Tourism Regulatory Fees . The Annual Tourism Regulatory Fees imposed under Chapter X, Article B, Section 10B. 02 (5) of the City Ordinance No. 794, otherwise known as "The Revised Revenue Code of Puerto Princesa City of 2016," to all Tour Guides and Community ECO-Tourism Guides are hereby temporarily suspended under December 31, 2021. SECTION 4. Separability Clause . If, for any reason or reasons, any part or provision of this Ordinance shall be held to be unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. SECTION 5. Automatic Expiration Clause . The effectivity of this Ordinance shall cease a day after December 31, 2021. Without further action of the Sanggunian, the original Annual Tourism Regulatory Fees stated in City Ordinance No. 794 shall be reinstated. SECTION 6. Effectivity . This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its full publication in a newspaper of general circulation, if possible, or posting in three (3) conspicuous places in the City of Puerto Princesa, in accordance with Article 114 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991. SO ORDAINED . CERTIFIED TRUE AND CORRECT BY: ATTY. PHILIP JEROME J. HILARIO Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod ATTESTED AND CERTIFIED TO BE DULY ADOPTED: MARIA NANCY M. SOCRATES City Vice Mayor Presiding Officer APPROVED: Ordinance No. 1110 on __________ LUCILO R. BAYRON City Mayor ATTESTED: ATTY. ARNEL M. PEDROSA City Administrator