Japanese TV crew films city’s dancing collectors

FOLLOWING a fourmonth break, Cebu City’s dancing tax collectors returned to the dance floor with more dynamic moves and colorful props.

At least 30 tax collectors danced yesterday in the City Treasurer’s Office.

The performance was covered by local media and a crew from Japan’s Tokyo TV.

Dressed in black leotards and yellow skirts, the tax collectors awed taxpayers with steps that jibed with the retro music, including the crowd-pleaser “Macarena.”

While dancing they shouted “We’re back! We’re back!”

After the opening number, the lights went off and City Treasurer Ofelia Oliva entered wearing a violet dress, black boots and feather shawl to the tune of Jennifer Lopez’s “On the Floor.”

She was accompanied by a more dancing collectors and City Hall summer workers.

Oliva said Tokyo TV asked Mayor Michael Rama’s permission to document the dancing.

“We are famous in Japan,” said Oliva.

She said the collectors rested for a while to focus more on the tax collection, given this year’s P4.4 billion revenue target.

Ellen Uy, a Punta Princesa resident, went to the CTO to secure a business permit.

“The dance was entertaining and the steppings were really nice,” she said.

Oliva said real property tax collection rose 116 percent while the business tax collection was up by 220 percent in the first quarter from the same period last year.

CTO collected P180 million compared to 80 million in real property taxes this year.

The city collected P600 million compared to P400 million last year.

Oliva said taxpayers should expect more dynamic dance moves. They also plan to launch the laughing tax collectors gimmick.