Quezon City Councilor Winston Castelo of District 2 wants Chinese workers of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations to pay city taxes.
Castelo, a former congressman, called on these employees and other Chinese nationals residing in QC to first secure their working permits prior to employment, “like what the ordinary Filipino workers at fast-food restaurants or call centers do.”
“The payment of taxes will surely add to the city’s coffers and boost the necessary revenues to sustain the development initiatives of the administration of Mayor Joy Belmonte,” he said.
Castelo urged POGO operators to ensure that all their employees have applied and paid the necessary permits and fees to the city before they could work.
“The law should apply to all. No one should be above it,” he said.
The councilor said Chinese nationals working in the Philippines must secure a health certificate, a mayor’s permit, and other necessary permits from the Bureau of Immigration. These applicants must attend health seminars as required by the city government too.
According to Castelo, it is unfair to Filipino employees if those Chinese workers would be given an exemption.
“Nobody is indispensable in terms of execution of laws, national and local,” he said.
