Piddig, Ilocos Norte – The Office of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Piddig, Ilocos Norte ratified a resolution from the Municipal Development Council to dole out tobacco excised tax share for the local farmers on Friday (April 27, 2018).
The fund is amounting to 125 million pesos from R.A. 7171 (Tobacco Excised Tax) is apportioned for local government unit (LGU) of Piddig for the year 2018.
Seven (7) members of the legislative body cast their votes for the approval namely: SBM Hershey Mandac, SBM Lendell Chua, SBM Wilbor Bringas, SBM Marianito Foronda, SBM Romulo Helario, Sr., SBM Rey Nicolas and ABC Federated President Florentino Soriano. The lawmakers believe that the excised tax’s share must be cast-off for agricultural development.
Meanwhile, two (2) councillors strike down and voted “no” to the said resolution namely: SBM Quezon Alejandro, SBM Onofre Bayag — they’ve still wanted to obligate more time in assessing the fund and scrutinize it well, in aid of legislation.
Though, municipal mayor Georgina Salazar-Guillen expressed her appreciations for the second time around to the members of the Sangguniang Bayan on their munificent effort.
“It is necessary for us (the LGU) to give what are due to our town-folks especially the farmers, and I thank all the members who in one way or another gave their efforts on this resolution. Rest-assured that we will implement all the projects for the betterment of Piddig ” added Mayor Guillen.
The allotted funds from the excise taxes (RA 717) are divided among beneficiary provinces. The laws says, must have an average annual production of leaf tobacco of no less than one million kilos.
It can only be utilized to develop the capacity and capability of tobacco farmers through: Cooperative projects, Livelihood projects, Agro-industrial projects and Infrastructure projects such as farm-to-market roads to ease transportation and lessen costs.
“Session is adjourned and the resolution was adopted and approved by the body!” – Vice-Mayor Generoso Aquino, Presiding officer. ###
(Bernard Ver, PBS/DWCI)
