Kalinga SP extends tax amnesty; inks law to up rice production

CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga - - The Sangguniang Panlalawigan Vice Gov. Dave Odiem  recently extended tax amnesty and made a resolution to boost  agriculture production in the province.
    The SP approved provincial ordinance 2021-011 authored by Board Member Christian Pic-it extending for the second time the availment period on real property tax (RPT) amnesty untilJune 30, 2023 to ease taxpayers’ burden on payment of accumulated RPT.
    The SP earlier passed an ordinance amending ordinance 2020-07 extending amnesty until June 30.  
    Provincial treasurer Theresa Basitao told the SP that due to Covid-19 restrictions among other reasons, only 7,703or five percent of delinquent taxpayers in the province availed of amnesty, as of Dec. 30, 2020. 
  She said the Tabuk City Treasury Office collected only P2.5 million or three percent out of theP239 million total delinquencies.
    Another reason for the need to extend tax amnesty was municipalities just started disseminating  RPT amnesty in their jurisdictions, Basitao said.
    The extension was deemed appropriate considering Senate Bill No. 2208 which proposes amendments to RepublicAct 11213 known as the Tax Amnesty Act of 2019,by extending the estate tax amnesty by another two years or up to June 14, 2023.

Said SB has been concurred by the House of Representatives and transmitted to the President for approval.

In the same session the SP also approved resolution 2021-085 authorizing Gov. Ferdinand Tubban to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Rice Research Institute for the development and implementation of rice research and development programs and projects in support to the attainment of food sufficiency and the promotion of rice-based technologies in the province. 

It covers field performance trial on hybrid rice. 

Another legislation passed was on the restoration, improvement and maintenance of the “Pappayao” (rice terraces) to accelerate socio-economic development of territorial jurisdictions where these heritage sites are located, and appropriating of funds thereof.

This measure covers the  rice terraces of Lubo in Tanudan; Salegseg in Balbalan; Dananao, Sumadel, Basao in Tinglayan; Bummag, Domang, Kherwitan in Pasil and Dangoy, Mabilong, Pudpud of Lubuagan. – PIA Kalinga