#Makati City

Earlier this week, the Makati City Government issued a closure order against Smart Communications Inc.’s head office. According to the Makati local government unit (LGU), Smart’s headquarters, located along Ayala Avenue, Barangay San Lorenzo, has been operating without a business permit since 2019 and has around PHP 3.2 billion in unpaid taxes. In response, Smart said in a statement that their legal teams have been in touch with the Makati LGU given the issue. The Makati City LGU has lifted the closure order imposed again Smart. However, in a separate statement, Smart said that they have already submitted to the Makati City Office of the City Treasurer the documents requested by LGU regarding the local taxation issues. “Smart remains committed to complying with Makati City’s local tax ordinances, and with relevant national laws, applicable in respect of local taxation, and thanks the Makati LGU for its prompt action to resolve the matter,” the company said in a statement. With that, it seems the issue between Smart and the Makati City Government is over. All residents of Makati City have been recently announced to receive free vaccines against COVID-19. Read more in our articles including "Makati City Government lifts closure order on Smart HQ" and "Makati City residents to receive COVID-19 vaccine".