SP passes new tax ordinance

Happy New Year?

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

THE SANGGUNIANG Panlalawigan has passed an ordinance amending the 2013 Revenue Code on December 16, effectively increasing all fees and charges being collected by the provincial government by 10 percent.

Sponsored by ex-officio board member Domingo Ambrocio Jr. and the committee on ways and means, provincial tax ordinance no. 2013-11-015 has been unanimously approved by all SP members and as such creates a significant increase in hospital fees, quarry fees, and rentals of provincial government-owned buildings among others.

With the recent upgrade and purchase of new equipment of provincial and district hospitals here, Dr. Juanito Chua, chief executive officer of the Ilocos Norte Hospital Management Council (INHMC) said there were new sources of income the INHMC has identified to be at par with neighboring hospitals particularly the Laoag City General Hospital and the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Batac City.

According to Chua, most of the hospital fees and charges have increased while only a few were decreased based on cost analysis.

For example, he cited the new building at the Gov. Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital may now offer rentals for its conference hall, including the setting up of private clinic offices, and charges for additional procedures for ultrasound, radiology and laboratory.

“We are willing to straighten out the code but we need to justify the increase and serve its purpose within the bounds of the law,” said provincial board member Da Vinci M. Crisostomo who earlier demanded that a public hearing, inviting all those concerned are properly notified and informed particularly those living in rural areas who are most likely the ones availing the services of public hospitals.

Ambrocio pointed out a public hearing was earlier conducted, notifying concerned groups and organizations to voice out their concerns prior to the approval of the said ordinance.

By law, a revenue code can be amended once every five years except for rental fees which can be amended after a year or so, board member Vincentito M. Lazo explained.

Quarry fees and other rental fees and charges, including parking fees of government lots and properties such as the Rizal Amusement Park and Centennial Arena, Ferdinand E. Marcos stadium, Dap-ayan and Malacañang of the north were also amended.

Comments

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become an annua

PGIN honors Ilocano heroes of past, present through Heroes Walk

SPO1 Allan Lampitoc Franco of Banna, Ilocos Norte and PO2 Jovalyn D. Lozano of Adams, Ilocos Norte receive a resolution of commendation, a certificate of college scholarship grant to their family members and a P20,000 cash incentive each from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte represented by Governor Imee R. Marcos and Vice Governor Angelo M. Barba in recognition of their bravery and heroic acts in the Mamasapano clash in Maguindanao on January 25. Mr. Franco and Mr. Lozano were recognized on March 10 in time for the unveiling of the second batch of Ilocano heroes at the Heroes Walk located along the Sirib Mile in Laoag City. (Lei Adriano) By Jennifer T. Pambid PGIN-CMO In honor of the heroes who brought freedom, fame and glory to the province as well as to the country in the past century, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Education Department and Sirib Youth Office launched the second batch of Ilocano Heroes Walk on March 10, 2015.

Pagudpud’s tourism transformer passes away

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Retired Philippine Air Force Col. Ricardo Nolasco Jr., owner of Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte passed away on Wednesday evening, July 11, 2018. He was 67. “He did not survive an open-heart surgery,” said Ronald Dominguez, spokesperson of the largest resort at Brgy. Balaoi in Pagudpud. Known as the architect behind the transformation of Pagudpud town as a premiere destination of the north, Mr. Nolasco put up Hannah’s Beach Resort in what was originally meant as a family vacation resort. The rest is history when it expanded into more than 300-room executive villas and cabanas, with on-going infrastructure developments and set up various amenities. As a result, hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists visit here daily. The resort is on a cliff by the beach, which provides a spectacular view of the sparkling blue lagoon. “Yesterday will go down my lifeline as one

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog