CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga ==The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) under the leadership of Vice Governor Dave Odiem  recently approved vital measures  extending tax amnesty availment  and boosting  agriculture production.

The SP approved Provincial Ordinance No. 2021-011 authored by Board Member Christian Pic-it extending for the second time the availment period on real property tax (RPT) amnesty until June 30, 2023 to ease taxpayers’ burden on payment of accumulated RPT.

The SP earlier passed an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2020-07 extending the availment of amnesty until June 30, 2021.  

Provincial Treasurer Theresa Basitao had informed the SP that due to COVID-19 restrictions among other reasons, only 7,703 or five percent of delinquent taxpayers in the province availed of the amnesty, as of December 30, 2020. She cited that the Tabuk City TreasuryOffice collectedonly P2.5M or just three percent out of the P239M total delinquencies.

Another reason for the need to extend again the tax amnesty is that the municipalities have just started disseminating the RPT amnesty in their jurisdictions, Basitao said.

The extension is also deemed appropriate considering that Senate Bill No. 2208 which proposes amendments to Republic Act 11213, otherwise known as the Tax Amnesty Act of 2019, by extending the estate tax amnesty by another two year or up to June 14, 2023. Said SB has been concurred by the House of Representatives and transmitted to the President for approval.

In the same session the SP also approved Resolution No. 2021-085 authorizing Governor Ferdinand Tubban representing the provincial local government unit to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Rice Research Institute for the development and implementation of rice research and development programs and projects in support to the attainment of food sufficiency and the promotion of rice-based technologies in the province.  It covers in particular field performance trial of hybrid rice. 

Another legislation passed is on the restoration, improvement and maintenance of the “Pappayao” (rice terraces) to accelerate socio-economic development of the territorial jurisdictions where these heritage sites are located, and appropriating of funds thereof.

This measure covers the  rice terraces of Lubo in Tanudan; Salegseg in Balbalan; Dananao, Sumadel, Basao in Tinglayan; Bummag, Domang, Kherwitan in Pasil and Dangoy, Mabilong, Pudpud of Lubuagan.(JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga)