Licensing Chief warns delinquent establishment to secure permit or face closure

By VALENTINO B. LOPEZ
August 16, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Proprietors of delinquent establishment in the city have enough to be wary of their illegal business operation here, after the City Government have launched without let-up, an intensified campaign to rid this place of  unwarranted business activities.

In last Monday’s (August 13) monitoring and inspection sortie conducted by the City Licensing Division, personnel from the said agency were able to unmask 20 business operators who have not or had only complied partially, with the existing Tax Code of the city.

The business establishments rounded up earlier this week consisted of massage parlors, fast food stalls, videoke joints and resto bars situated at various locations in the downtown area, suburban districts and in the outskirts of Tacloban.

Most common of the violations committed by the errant proprietors, were their blatant disregard to secure permit for their business activity, no working permits for their waitresses and attendants, aside from also understating the number of tables and videoke units available at their places, which according to City Licensing Chief Erwin Oledan, are all taxable under existing city ordinances.

Consequent to these violations, guilty parties were all served delinquency notices according to Mr. Oledan, adding that by operation of law would oblige these operators to secure immediately the required licenses and permits, for them not to be subjected to the harsh penalty of closure.

Government personnel now enjoys GSIS Conso-Loan

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
August 16, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  All members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) may now avail of the new GSIS loan procedure known as consolidated salary loan otherwise known as Conso-loan.

It was learned from GSIS that the Conso-loan is equivalent to the members 10 months salary and this may be availed by GSIS members who have been in government service for at least 10 years.  Such loan is the consolidation of the five different loans granted by GSIS to its members.  These loans are the regular loan, policy loan, summer one-month salary loan, and the emergency loan assistance.

For those who have been in service for only 20 months, he may avail of a three-month salary loan.

According to GSIS, one positive factor of this Conso-loan is the length of repayment period, which is stretched to six years and the condemnation of outstanding penalties and surcharges of previous loans. Another advantage is the updating of loan accounts.

GSIS emphasized that for a member to be able to enjoy the Conso-loan, the agency where he belongs should not be on the suspended list of the GSIS due to arrearages; the member has had no administrative charge and his take-home pay should be sufficient to pay the loan.

In the new electronic certification system in the granting of the Conso-loan, GSIS trained the Agency Authorized Officers (AAO) who takes part in processing the loan transactions. The AAO is the one who approves or disapproves the loan and then have it recorded to payroll deduction.

At present, a great number of GSIS eCard holders have already availed of the Conso-loan.

Tanauan mayor elected to the LMP national executive committee; Calbiga mayor Exec VP

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
August 13, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  In a reorganization meeting held this morning at the historic Manila Hotel, the national directorate of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines elected Atty. Roque A. Tiu, Tanauan, Leyte Mayor and President of the LMP Leyte Provincial Chapter, as the General Legal Counsel.

As such, Mayor Tiu shall provide legal assistance to the League. He is also expected to design the legal framework for the position of the League on issues affecting local governance; and to provide legal advice to the National President, members of the National Executive Committee, National Directorate and General Assembly of the League.

In the election meeting which was observed by Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary for local government Austere Panadero, the national directorate re-elected for the third term, Binalonan, Pangasinan Mayor Ramon Guico, Jr. as the National President.

The National Directorate is the principal policy-making and advisory body of the League whose primary function consist of formulating definite policies for attaining the purposes of the League. It decides these policies in a collegial way and ensures that policies decided by the General Assembly are implemented.

The National Directorate is composed of all incumbent Chapter Presidents and all immediate Past Presidents of Provincial Chapters who are still incumbent Mayors. However, only incumbent Chapter Presidents can vote and be voted upon. The term of office of the members of the National Directorate shall be co-terminus with the term of office of Municipal Mayors.

The National Executive Committee is responsible for initiating proposals and carrying out the decisions of the National Directorate and for any other matter delegated to it by the General Assembly. It shall be in charge of the League’s administrative and financial management. It prepares the meetings of the National Directorate and of the General Assembly.

The other Officers elected were Mayor Raul C. Tupas of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo as Vice President for Operations; Mayor Melchor F. Nacario of Calbiga, Samar was elected as Executive Vice President for Internal Affairs and Mayor Reynaldo Navarro of Laak, Compostela Valley as Executive Vice President for External Affairs.

Also elected were Mayor Winifredo B. Oco of Labo, Camarines Norte as Island Cluster President for Luzon; Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo of Kalibo, Aklan as the Island Cluster President for Visayas; and Mayor Ramon M. Abalos of Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat as Island Cluster President for Mindanao.

Elected as National Treasurer was Mayor Dennis G. Pineda of Lubao, Pampanga; National Auditor, Mayor Enrique B. Yap of Glan, Sarangani; Business Manager, Mayor Eldwin M. Alibutdan of Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; PRO, Mayor Mary Joyce Roquero of Vaderrama, Antique; and Mayor Abdul Malik Manamparan of Nunungan, Lanao del Norte.

The National Directorate is composed of the 81 LMP Provincial Chapters nationwide.

To date, there is a total of 1,510 municipalities all over the country divided into 81 provincial chapters.

650 hotel job openings soon to be available in Eastern Samar, Visayas region

By ALICE NICART (PIA Eastern Samar)
August 13, 2007

GUIUAN, Eastern Samar  –  Close to a thousand jobs will cater to the long-awaited dream of many Eastern Samareños to find employment, in time the hotel business begins in Calicoan Island of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, two years from now.

This was learned from Timothy “Tim” Brumlik, Director of Calicoan Integrated Resort Development Corporation (CIRDC) in an interview with media during the launching on Saturday of the eight-storey and 250-room Condominium Hotel which is soon to be built in this part of the region.

Brumlik, a North American, flew in to the white beach resort of Guiuan with other members of their corporation and showed to the media the blue print of their hotel which has an estimated cost of $150-160M. He added that it will sit in an 11-hectare land area with a 450-meter beach front. He also said that the hotel will need some 650 people to help in the operation of their business from managers, chefs, receptionists and room boys and assured further of the preference for local residents and Cebuanos as well, adding that Cebu is just a few minutes flight from Tacloban. He said that this accessibility was also one of the factors which encouraged them to put up the hotel business.

He further said that he and his group met President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo shortly before they proceeded to the Region to give her the updates of the hotel business. According to him President Arroyo was glad to hear the status report, it being one of her flagship programs in her “8 by 08” Agenda. Absolutely, the American stressed that their hotel operation will be line with her “Eight Million Job Creation” advocacy before her term ends.

Brumlik projects that the Calicoan Beach and Surfing Resort will be much better than Boracay of Central Visayas. He said that aside from surfing and the white beach which is a big come-on to foreign tourists, a Yoga facility to the right side of the island (going Sulangan) will also attract foreigners.

The friendly foreigner stressed that they can finish the hotel construction in 24-months starting January next year. At present, construction of the road network of the entire hotel site, drainage system and water facilities have been on going. Other facilities to be put in place soon are the cellphone sites of Globe and Smart. Bendoy Bagares, a fish vendor from the historic barangay Sulangan, who was among the crowd expressed excitement at how would he operate a cellphone should he buy one next year.

Asked how he would describe Calicoan in three words, Brumlik said: awesome, accessible, doable.

Miss Calbiga is this year’s Mutya han Samar

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
August 12, 2007

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  Beautiful Migzy Lou Quinto of Calbiga town won the coveted title of Mutya han Samar 2007, in the breathtaking pageant held on August 9, 2007 at the full-packed Samar Provincial Gymnasium.

This is the second year in a row that the municipality of Calbiga has produced the Mutya han Samar. Last year’s winner Christina Sabarre Chan also represented Calbiga.

Miss Quinto, this year’s most beautiful Samareña, was crowned by no less than Samar Governor Mila Tan, who herself was blooming that night, and Vice Governor Redaja. She bested 12 other candidates from 12 other municipalities and carted away P50,000 in cash plus sash and trophy.

Migzy, who was adjudged as the third runner-up in the Search for Miss Pintados last June, was already the overall winner when the five finalists were proclaimed. Her candid answer to the question what would she advise the people of Samar about life sealed for her the Mutya han Samar 2007 crown.

Migzy said she would advise the people especially the youth to live life to the fullest, to give their best in everything they do, to show their love to their families and friends while they have the chance to do so.

She intimated that she is an orphan. Her mother died when she was in the elementary grades and she didn’t have the chance to show her mother how she loves her. Nevertheless, her being an orphan did not deter her from finishing her studies and from living life to the fullest, triumphant from being able to hurdle her difficulties and sorrows in life.

The board of judges composed of Department of Agriculture Director Leo Cañeda, RCBC Catbalogan branch manager Ruel Umbay, model Brenda Adic, Dr. Sara Españo of Legaspi, LtCol. Luis Vincent Tacderas of the 46IB, Judge Agerico Avila and PIA Director Olive Tiu, was one in saying that Migzy is not only beautiful, she is also a very good example to the youth of Samar.

Adjudged as the first runner-up is the stunner from the municipality of Gandara, Miss Adona Figer, who was crowned by the youngest member of the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Sharee Ann Tan. She received P25,000 aside from the P2,000 she got each as Best in Swimsuit, Best in Casual Wear and Miss Congeniality.

The captivating Reena Espaniola of Tarangnan town, who was earlier in the pageant proclaimed as the most eloquent, the most photogenic and the Best in Gown, is this year’s second runner up. She won for herself P15,000 in cash plus P2,000 for each of the special awards she received.

Completing this year’s Mutya ng Samar entourage are Miss Catbalogan, Divine Yangzon, who was proclaimed as the third runner-up and Miss Sta. Rita, Ester Repol as the fourth runner-up. Miss Yangzon was also adjudged Best in Baro't Saya.

The Search for Mutya han Samar which is being held annually in connection with the celebration of Samar Day, was made more significant because of the presence of all the provincial officials, the local chief executives and officials of the various Samar municipalities, the presence of the Region’s media and the constituents of Samar.

The pageant night was hosted by GMA7 showbiz personality Marco Alcazar and co-hosted by Ms. Myra Letaba.

PGMA supports Calicoan Resort, hopes to ribbon-cut before 2010

By ALICE NICART (PIA Eastern Samar)
August 12, 2007

GUIUAN, Eastern Samar  –  President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expects to provide employment opportunities for people in the Eastern Visayas region as she hopes to attend the inauguration and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the multi-million pesos worth Condominium Hotel in Calicoan, Guiuan.

Built by a government corporation, the Calicoan Integrated Resort Development Corporation (CIRDC), the hotel is expected to be opened before President Arroyo’s term is finished in 2010.

This was disclosed by Presidential Spokesman for Visayas, Victor Domingo in a media interview, right in the actual hotel site in Calicoan island on Friday during the launching.

Domingo clarified that the Calicoan project that is set to attract hundreds and thousand tourists is fully supported by President Arroyo and is being assisted by the provincial government.  Thus, according to him, he sees to it that the road from Guiuan poblacion towards the island is put in place aside from other infrastructure projects here.

At present, it was observed that the road, indeed is better off than it was a year or two years ago.   He said that presently construction of the asphalt road from Guiuan poblacion is undergoing and only the remaining seven kilometer is being done as attributed by the visible piles of construction materials by the roadsides.

Likewise, Domingo added that the Airport parking space is also next in line of his infrastructure program as well as the rehabilitation of the then American’s water facility in Guiuan through the Guiuan Water Works Authority.  He disclosed that there are still gigantic pipes and wells left by the US soldiers of WWII, and should they still be fit for rehab, then it could be of big help to the project.

Another very important infra that he is headed to implement, Domingo said is the construction of Sub-Power Corporation right in Calicoan to alleviate the problem of power failure or brownouts.  But what excited most to the media was Domingo’s assurance about the installation of cellsites in the island which is set to happen in two months time, he said.

In closing the Presidential Assistant assured that President Arroyo is also set to issue an Executive Order which will declare Calicoan Resort a Tourist Destination.

Aside from the 8-storey American-owned hotel that is about to begin construction, some Koreans were also present during the launching who assured the media of the same business endeavor that they will indulge in two or three months time.

The same land area of 11 hectares have likewise been bought by these Korean businessmen where they intend to put up hotel facilities, it was gathered.

In a separate interview, Atty. Manuel Go, the so called “initiator” and Calicoan discoverer which he said he did some 20 years ago, revealed that he is also establishing a subdivision in the area and while the hotel room may be too expensive for ordinary Filipinos, some local businessmen will be putting up affordable hotels in the area.

Go assured also that some sophisticated Warning Devices will be installed in the area as well in order to mitigate the effect of natural calamities. Calicoan, he added, even if it is a coastal island, is a safe place from Tsunamis.

LGUs to receive next year P4B flowback from VAT collections

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
August 12, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The Department of Budget and Management’s announcement that the Local Government Units will receive nearly P4 billion next year as their share in the value added tax (VAT) collections, is actually a fulfillment of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s thrust of allowing the local government units to share in the fruits of the country’s economic growth.

This move of the National Government is one way of enhancing tax collections through the help of the local governments. It is virtually an incentive for the local government units to help in the promotion of tax compliance.

The amount of P3.98 billion which is allocated for the LGUs’ VAT dividends is included in the P218.7 billion which the National Government will be remitting to the local government units, in tax flowbacks next year, the biggest item of which is the Internal Revenue Allotment totaling P210.73 billion, as reported by the DBM.

It would be recalled that under RA 7643, local governments will get 20 percent of 50 percent of the so-called incremental collections from VAT.

Incremental collections from VAT is defined as the excess in the annual increase in actual collections of VAT in the immediately preceding year over the annual increase in the second preceding year.

The amount of P3.98 billion VAT dividends for LGUs next year is P440 million higher than the P3.54 billion allocated this year for the LGUs’ VAT dividends.

The 2008 share of LGUs from the VAT incremental collections is based on the increase in collection between 2007 and 2006, minus the increase in collection between 2006 and 2005.

The formula for LGU allocation is contained in the Joint Circular 1-02 issued on February 6, 2002 by the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance, and the Department of Interior and Local Government.