Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay has lauded the local Sangguniang Panlungsod for its decision to suspend amusement tax collection to help promote arts and tourism in the city.
The city council approved on Dec. 27. Ordinance No. 2023-269 suspending the collection of amusement taxes.
In a letter addressed to the council, Mayor Binay said the temporary lifting of the amusement tax would encourage “more investment in creative projects and provide more room for economic growth in the tourism sector.”
Under City Ordinance No. 2004-025, also known as the Revised Makati Revenue Code, the local government could collect taxes in the form of amusement fees for any theatrical, musical, or other performances and for the use of public entertainment areas.
“By suspending amusement taxes, we are promoting economic sustainability and empowering the creative force within our city. I see a Makati that positively buzzes with creativity and innovation, a city that appreciates and fully supports the ingenuity of the Filipino artist,” Binay said.
The mayor said such initiative was an unprecedented move, highlighting the city’s commitment to developing creative industries in keeping with national government efforts.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently launched the project “Lungsod Lunsad: A Call for Creative Proposal towards Building Creative Cities” under the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act or Republic Act No. 11904.
“Given this nationwide initiative and its promising potential for Makati City, I believe it is in our best interest to support and encourage this project. By suspending the amusement tax, we can foster the growth and sustainability of the creative industries within our city, thereby stimulating economic activity and attracting tourism,” Binay’s letter stated.
Mayor Binay is keen to demonstrate how cities can foster economic growth through thoughtful policy and strategic initiatives while nurturing their cultural heritage.