Sen. Chiz lauds investor for putting-up first mall in Surigao City
SURIGAO CITY, Mar. 21 (PIA) - Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero was elated with the Gaisano Capital Corporation’s interest in putting-up a new investment in the city following its formal groundbreaking last week.
In a press statement, Escudero thanked and appreciated the confidence of the company for putting-up a 2-storey mall in Surigao City, “I thank and appreciate the confidence of Gaisano Capital in that area (Surigao City).”
The site is a 3.4-hectare expanse along the national highway in Barangay Luna adjacent to the St. Paul University Surigao and the city’s Bus and Jeepney terminal.
Escudero is hoping that more businessmen will then follow, “I hope other businessmen will follow suit so that development will reach Mindanao and not just Metro Manila and Luzon.”
It was learned that the company is predicting about 600 to 800 Surigaonons to be employed once the mall becomes operational. (FEAbkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
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2010 revenue collection in Caraga exceeded 2.86% - BIR chief
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, March 21 (PIA) – The Bureau of Internal Revenue Region No. 17 recently reported that they have collected a total amount of P2,654,753,249.72 which is 2.86% higher than its target collection amounting to P2,580,959,000.00 in 2010.
During the 2011 Tax Campaign kick-off held recently in one of the local convention centers here, BIR Caraga Regional Director Norberto Vitug said collections versus collections for the same year, the revenue office posted a growth rate of 20.42% equivalent to an increased total amount of P545,229,529.40.
According to Dir. Vitug, out of the P2.6 billion actual collections for calendar year 2010, Revenue District Office No. 103 of Butuan City collected P1,224,425,473.47 which is 46.12% of the same collection.
Also, Vitug said Revenue District Office No. 104 of Bayugan City contributed P489,949,136.53 representing 18.46%.
Vitug further said Surigao City’s Revenue District Office No. 105 shared the amount of P453,379,183.03 of 17.08% of the actual collections.
Furthermore, the official said Revenue District Office No. 106 in Tandag City contributed P486,999,456.66 or 18.34% of the good performance of this region.
With the office exceeded their revenue collection target in 2010, Vitug said BIR Revenue District Offices in Caraga are intensifying its campaign to meet their target collection for this year which is about P3.3 billion, an increase of 25% over actual collections last year. (PIA-Caraga)
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BIR Caraga intensifies tax campaign for 2011
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, March 21 (PIA) -- Bureau of Internal Revenue Region No. 17 Dir. Norberto Vitug said series of campaign strategies will be implemented by the office to inform the public of its obligation to pay taxes as it aims to increase its revenue collection this year after it exceeded its collection target in 2010 by 2.86%.
In a discussion with the local tri-media here, Vitug said the launching of the tax filing countdown for which a billboard is mounted outside the BIR Office is a way to remind the public to pay their taxes on time to avoid penalties.
“With our launching of the tax filing campaign, we could be able to remind the taxpayers of their obligation and the deadline for filing. Through this, taxpayers will be also reminded to pay promptly to avoid penalties, and the like,” Vitug said.
The BIR director underscores the crucial role of the tri-media in their collection target “that is why we are strengthening our partnership with the local tri-media here,” Vitug added.
Vitug also reminded the public on the “Premyo sa Resibo” program of BIR wherein record shows that more and more taxpayers are already winning the said promo.
He also enjoined the public to pay their taxes on time to avoid rush and at the same time, penalties. He also encouraged the public to ask receipts for any item purchased in business establishments as well as professional services.
"In this way, we can assure that business establishment owners and professionals offering services such as physicians, lawyers, and others will pay their taxes correctly,” Vitug added.
It can be recalled that recently, BIR Caraga has also conducted its kick-off activity for the 2011 Tax Campaign. (PIA-Caraga)
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Iron fortified Rice launched in Surigao Norte
By: Susil Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, March 21 (PIA) --The National Food Authority (NFA) Surigao del Norte successfully launched its Iron Fortified Rice (I-RICE), held recently at the Barangay Taft Gymnasium, this city.
This activity is in line with the national government’s commitment to ensure proper nutrition to all Filipinos specifically outlined in the agenda on health and nutrition of the present administration.
According to National Food Authority Provincial Manager Roberto P. Pareja the said l-RICE is a clear indication that our government is doing its part to address the iron nutrient deficiency problem in our country.
He also enjoined all private sectors to support, promote and patronized the I-RICE program of the government.
Around 150 Surigaonons from Brgy. Taft received pack meals with iron fortified rice. Highlighted in the launching is the signing of Declaration of Commitment between the DOH, NFA, DTI, provincial, city and barangay officials and the consumers associations of Surigao del Norte and Surigao City. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
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Six houses damaged due to tidal surge in Tago
TAGO, Surigao del Sur, March 21 (PIA) –- Six houses were damaged due to the tidal surge on March 19 in Tago, this province.
This was clarified by Tago Mayor Henrich Pimentel and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Officer Kenneth Baloyo.
“The 30 houses reported by one TV station on the eve of March 19 is not entirely accurate and it did not happen only in one setting or one day”, thus reacted Mayor Henrich Pimentel of Tago in his text message.
Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Officer Kenneth Baloyo clarified the issue saying, that only six houses were damaged during the big waves on Saturday, March 19 but those houses were already slightly damaged due to the previous disasters affected the entire province early this year.
Baloyo said the incident on Saturday affected 30 individuals, and not 30 houses. However, Baloyo said those 30 houses reportedly damaged were brought about since the January calamity up to this moment.
The Local Government Unit of Tago led by Mayor Pimentel had already responded and made some efforts after conducting ocular inspection in the area. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
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NFA I-Rice program gains support from various agencies, LGU in Surigao del Sur
TANDAG, Surigao del Sur, March 21 (PIA) –- Various government agencies, and local government units supported the re-launching of Iron Fortified Rice (I-Rice) held at Barangay Bongtud, Tandag recently as they affixed their signatures in the Declaration of Commitment.
The signatories were from the National Food Authority, Department of Education, Provincial Nutrition officer, Local Government unit of Tandag, Philippine Information Agency, various barangay officials, and consumer organizations of this province.
Surigao del Sur National Food Authority (NFA) Provincial Manager Raymundo Cotiangco said the program is a nationwide simultaneous activity promoting the I-Rice as mandated under RA 8960 or the Philippine Food Fortification Act of 2000.
I-Rice program seeks to lessen if not totally eliminate malnutrition in the country, particularly iron-deficiency anemia that focused to sectors mostly susceptible to iron-micronutrient deficiency. Among them are nursing mothers, pregnant women and young children.
Provincial Nutrition Officer Ermelinda Ascares in her presentation said I-Rice is good for the health that could help fight against anemia and infections.
Ascares further said under the law, fortification was made mandatory for certain staple foods, like rice and wheat flour with iron.
I-Rice is enriched rice made from a blend of pre-mixed iron-fortified rice grains with ordinary rice. Premixed fortified rice grains are ordinary rice coated with iron in suitable solvent and binder. Accordingly, I-Rice contains 6 mg iron per 100 gram rice. A day’s intake of approximately 4 to 6 cups of cooked IFR will meet the daily iron requirement of the body.
RA 8976 calls for the mandatory fortification of staples such as rice, flour, cooking oil and refined sugar. It also encourages manufacturers of processed foods to fortify their products under the voluntary system or the Sangkap Pinoy Seal Program. (NGBTranquilan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
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NPA dead after attempt at burning equipment
Surigao del Sur, March 21 (PIA) -- A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with soldiers of the 36 Infantry Battalion led by 1Lt Serjhim Temperante on March 14.
The NPA’s were attempting to burn equipment of Surigao Development Corporation (SUDECOR) in Sitio Ikis-Ikis, Brgy Cancavan, Carmen, Surigao del Sur when soldiers stopped them and a three-minute gunfight between the army and members of Guerilla Front 30, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee ensued.
The casualty was identified as a certain Marlito Sicute Andaya alyas Jama, 23 years old, single and a resident of brgy Maitum, Tandag City. (Gabatin 41, 36IB, 401st bde/PIA Surigao del Sur)
