CEBU CITY: Storm-weary businesses to get reprieve

Local

BUSINESSES struggling to recover from the widespread devastation left by Typhoon Tino may soon get financial breathing room from City Hall.

The Cebu City Council has passed a resolution urging Mayor Nestor Archival to waive penalties and surcharges on the renewal and processing of business permits for establishments affected by the typhoon.

Authored by Councilor Jun Alcover and approved during the Council’s regular session on Tuesday, Nov. 11, the resolution directs the mayor to authorize the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) to implement the waiver program.

The initiative will be coordinated with the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) to ensure proper verification and assistance.

Alcover said the measure is meant to help businesses recover after Tino brought widespread destruction across Cebu City, disrupting livelihoods and shuttering establishments.

“Typhoon ‘Tino’ severely hit Cebu City on November 4, causing heavy damage to property and paralyzing many business operations. This waiver will help lighten their financial burden and accelerate their recovery,” Alcover said.

The proposal seeks to remove penalties and related fees for business permit renewals in disaster-hit areas, citing Section 192 of the Local Government Code, which allows local governments to grant tax reliefs and exemptions in times of public necessity.

The mayor’s approval is required before the measure can take effect. Once given the green light, the CTO will formulate the implementing guidelines, including eligibility criteria, coverage period, and procedures for validating affected establishments.

Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) battered Cebu City and much of the Visayas on November 4, unleashing torrential rain and strong winds that triggered flash floods, landslides, and massive power outages.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the typhoon left 232 people dead nationwide, with 150 of those fatalities recorded in Cebu. The province also reported 57 missing individuals and over 500 injured.

Cebu City alone recorded 33 deaths and six missing residents, with thousands still staying in evacuation centers as recovery efforts continue.

Following the disaster, the City Council declared Cebu City under a state of calamity, allowing local authorities to mobilize emergency funds for relief and rehabilitation.(TGP)