BIR BICOL FILES CHARGES AGAINST PDIC EXEC

LEGAZPI CITY— The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Bicol has filed a criminal case against the chief liquidator of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) for failure to present for examination the books of accounts and other accounting records of a foreclosed bank, a top regional official of the bureau disclosed.

BIR Revenue Region 10 Director Atty. Diosdado R. Mendoza told PIA News Service that BIR has filed criminal charges against PDIC’s official for failure to obey summons, under Section 5 in relation to Section 266 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.

Mendoza said the tax bureau has filed the charges last week at the Iriga City Prosecutor’s Office following the failure of the PDIC chief liquidator to comply with BIR’s Subpoena Duces Tecum (SDT), received by the PDIC last December 8, 2009, and despite several follow ups and appeal from the bureau for an audit investigation of the 2007 and 2008 to determine the tax liabilities of the foreclosed G7 Bank.

G7 Bank (also Rural Bank of Nabua, Inc.) was closed for business by PDIC in 2008 due to problems in the banks cash outflow, despite being the biggest rural bank in Bicol with seven branches spread throughout the region and two other branches in the Metro Manila.

The bank was placed first under receivership by the PDIC which took charge of all its assets, records and affairs, subsequently, went through a liquidation process under the supervision of the PDIC to dispose all of its assets and properties.

Mendoza furthered the filing of charges is in line with the directive of BIR Commissioner Kim Henares not only to run after tax evaders but also to file charges against persons obstructing the tax bureau’s effort to collect the right taxes.

Meanwhile, the tax bureau chief said that BIR Bicol’s seven revenue district offices collected a total of P3.2 billion from January to August or 29.29 percent over the same period last. The tax bureau in Bicol has set a tax collection goal of P4.7 billion for 2010.

Mendoza added that BIR Bicol has continually surpassed its tax collection target for the past three consecutive years. (EDLeon, PIA V/mal)
AKO BICOL FILES MOTORCYCLE ANTI-OVERLOADING BILL

LEGAZPI CITY— Ako Bikol (AKB) partylist has filed House Bill No. 3360 that will prohibit overloading of motorcycles and limits passengers to those above 12 years old.

The increasing prices of petroleum and traffic congestion led to the increase in the number of motorcycle purchases. Use of motorcycles is found to be a convenient, efficient, and cheaper means to evade traffic.

Admirably, Congress responded to this concern when it passed Republic Act No. 10054 or the “Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009”, which mandates the use of helmets for drivers and passengers.

However, AKB reps also recognize the need to act on the uncontrolled overloading of motorcycles, which, according to the Metro Manila Development Authority, is one of the major causes of motorcycle accidents.

Motorcycles are made to accommodate only two (2) persons – the driver and one passenger. It has become a habit to accommodate more than two persons as in the case of the habal-habal, a popular public utility in the rural areas, which can accommodate around six (6) people.

They also observed the dangerous habit of including infants and children as passengers. Alarming also is the fact that the use of helmets for toddlers and infants is not imposed. This presents a very dangerous situation that endangers the lives of children who ride motorcycles unprotected, usually snuggled between parents or tucked in the arms of a parent.

The bill is aimed at lessening, if not eradicating, the dangers imposed by motorcycle-overloading and safeguarding the interests of children. (AKB PAO/PIA/mal)

HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES FOR KABIHUG TRIBE ON IP WEEK

DAET, Camarines Norte – The Indigenous People (IP) here locally known ‘kabihug’ in sitio Kalibighu, Barangay, Osmeña, Jose Panganiban this province joins the IP week celebration last week.

Atty. Nydia A. Hebrio, OIC of the National Commission on Indigenous People said that activities conducted include: basic hygiene training, malaria and tuberculosis awareness last October 13 and 15 respectively.

A medical mission, civil wedding, civil registration, tribal wedding and cultural night presentation with songs and dances were held October 15.

The Kabihug also participated in tribal games, IP forum with partners and stakeholders, and awarding of prizes and surprise gifts last Oct. 16.

Earlier the kabihug attended the training in cultural mural painting and benefited in the alternative supplemental feeding for the IP children.

The activity was sponsored by the Diocese of Daet, SFACFI, Caritas Australia and the Indigenous People Empowerment and Development Project (IP-EDP).

This year’s theme “ Kabihug tagapagpayabong ng lupaing katutubo”. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)