Businesses affected by Makati condo gas leak to get tax break

Business establishments affected by a gas leak at a condominium in Makati will get a tax break, the city government ordered Wednesday. Makati City issued Ordinance 2010-A-010 giving tax amnesty to business establishments affected by the gasoline leak, which started last July at the West Tower Condominium in Bangkal village. “We know that business owners in the building were adversely affected due to its closure and we believe that they rightfully deserve to receive help from the city government, including tax amnesty," Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. said in an article on the city's web portal Wednesday. Binay suggested the tax amnesty for the consideration of the City Council, after a meeting with members of the Task Force West Tower at the Makati City Hall. Last July 22, Binay, upon the recommendation of the City Disaster Coordinating Council, ordered the evacuation of residents at the West Tower Condominium to give way to the draining operation of the basement of the building. Waste water and petroleum had seeped from the basement of the condominium along South Superhighway. City officials are verifying recent reports that the leak was not confined to the West Tower building, but has affected surrounding deep wells. “However, the occurrence affected not only the residents, but business establishments as well. So it is just fitting that they be given tax amnesty. After all, they have also contributed to the growth of our city through the taxes they used to pay. This time, they are the ones who need help from the city government, and we are willing to give them that," Binay said. Earlier, the city declared Barangay Bangkal in a state of calamity to allow the city to provide funding for tests, equipment, and other expenses while it tries to resolve the case. — LBG, GMANews.TV