Taxpayers get coffee treat in Piddig

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

PIDDIG, Ilocos Norte—The local government unit in this town, home to the largest coffee plantation in the province is giving a hot coffee treat to tax payers who are queuing to pay their dues to the government on time.

At least two vending machines filled with aromatic coffee produced by the municipality are made accessible to whoever wants to sip coffee while waiting for their turn in front of the Municipal Treasurer’s Office. This comes with sugar and creamer which they can avail as self-service or served by municipal employees themselves.

“This is our simple way of showing true public service and to let our taxpayers know that we care for them,” said municipal treasurer Ofelia Ventura in an interview.

It was learned the coffee treat was personally suggested by Piddig Mayor Eduardo “Eddie” Guillen during a meeting with the personnel of the Municipal Treasurer’s Office to entertain taxpayers while waiting for their turn to finish their government transactions.

When transacting business with the government, taxpayers have to endure long hours of seating and standing to complete a day transaction, sometimes they are even asked to return the next day if there are lacking documents.

With this, some local residents have lauded the new trick of the municipal government in its effort to play it cool and ease the burden of doing business with the government.

“It’s a simple gesture and we appreciate it very much. I wish we can have more of these positive vibes in the future not just in Piddig but all other government entities,” said Jennifer Lacuata, a taxpayer here.

The free coffee serving and tasting at the municipal hall, according to Mr. Guillen is also a way of the municipal government to promote its very own coffee product to their constituents.

Since 2014, Piddig town is the country’s host to the first and largest national convergence program for coffee with the development of about 1,200 hectares of upland and lowland coffee plantations planted with high grade Arabica, Excelsa and Liberica coffee varieties.

Through a public and private partnership program, the municipal government is now selling its coffee produce in various trade fairs and exhibits.

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