MORE NEWS, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

Hospitals, rentals up MP revenues

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The provincial government generated a higher total revenue for fiscal year 2008 or P56,566,343.38, more than last year.

Of the total P345,299,063.92, derived from the province’s local revenues was P30,194,814.13.

The Internal Revenue Allotment share from the national government amounted to P296,400,001 plus the monetized IRA of P12,001,314.44 which the province did not receive in 2001 and 2004.

Grants from the EC amounted to P6,686,203.00 and donations from the PCSO amounting to P16,731.35.

Based on tax collection report of the provincial treasurer’s office, biggest contributor for the local revenues was hospital collections of P17,729,283.07.

This figure shows an increase of P803,034.68 from the total collections in 2007 which is P16,926,248.39.

The second contributor is the economic enterprises coming from rentals of buildings, lots, halls and equipment with total collection of P3,609,538.45.

Additional income is expected to be generated when the Bontoc Commercial Center becomes fully operational this year.

Next is collections from tax revenue from Real Property Tax; tax on business like delivery trucks and vans, amusement tax, franchise tax, sand and gravel tax, tax on printing and publication; and other taxes like professional tax and property transfer which has a total collection amounting to P 2,560,324.70.

Other contributors to the local revenue collection are collections from the Provincial Veterinarian Office; Office of the Provincial Agriculturist; Environment and Natural Resources Office; swimming pool; risograph machine; Mt. Data Lodging; salt iodization plant; penalties; sale of flowers, scrap assets, accountable forms; socio economic profile with a total collection of P5,454,552.96.

Collections from certification/secretarial fees, permit fees amounted to P243,381.00 and collection from interest income amounted to P597,733.95. -- Juliet Saley


Asin’s Carbon, beauty contest, cultural shows highlight Sagada fiesta
By Gina Dizon

SAGADA, Mountain Province – Coronation of Bangan di Sagada, a clergy choir, and an indigenous musical contest and music jamming with local talents and invited musicians like Lolita Carbon of the group Asin highlights this town’s fiesta which started yesterday until tomorrow.

The fiesta is usually held jointly with the celebration of the Christian calendar’s “Presentation of Jesus Christ in the Temple” which is Feb. 2. A church service is observed at 6:30 a.m. of Feb. 2nd. Celebration of the Holy Eucharist is 8 a.m. today.

Regular ballgames, the traditional tug of war, and a quiz bee were participated in by delegates from the 19 barangays of the municipality.

The Philippine National Police Band did a special rendition on last night during the coronation of Bangan di Sagada.

A children ‘s song shall be shown today which shall be followed by a choir rendition of clergy from the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines and Cathedral on the night of February 1st at the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin.

An indigenous musical contest shall feature original compositions focused on themes of peace, environmental protection, justice, and health to be shown Feb. 2 at the community court. Community jamming with local talents follows and invited guests will be held night of Feb. 2.

Gracing the event is street dancing and a civic parade on January 31 followed by cultural presentations at the community court, with theme “Cultural renaissance for a better Sagada”.

Gov. Maximo Dalog in his message said, “May the fiesta celebration be another time to highlight the positive features of our culture.”\

Former Sagada mayor and now Presidential Assistant for Cordillera Affairs said the fiesta theme is “timely and significant that should grow with the consciousness of the community. It is in fact an invaluable part of our character that should not be eroded by time and the various influences that affect our values and our way of life. Sagada would not have been what it is without our strong cultural foundations.”

Sagada mayor Edward Latawan noted changes in local traditions yet culture persisted which continues to be valued.