DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has finally granted the longtime request for income tax exemption of one of the biggest and most successful credit cooperatives in the province.

BIR issued a ruling on Jan. 31 granting the Perpetual Help Community Cooperative, Inc. (PHCCI) here exemption from income taxation, making PHCCI the first credit cooperative in the province to enjoy a tax exemption.

PHCCI General Manager Michael Hojas explained that prior to the ruling, PHCCI's income deposited in various financial institutions were subject to a 20% interest tax.

S.S.E.A.Y.P. applications now open
ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PIA) – The National Youth Commission (NYC)-Visayas Area Office has announced that applications for the 38th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program are now open.

The SSEAYP is an annual cultural exchange program that started in 1974 as a joint statement between ASEAN member countries and Japan.

It is participated by young people from ASEAN countries to promote friendship and mutual understanding among them.

L.G.U.s asked to join tree program
SIQUIJOR (PIA) – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) office here is enjoining all local government units in the province to support the Billion Tree Program of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Love Foundation chaired by former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno.

A Memorandum Circular issued by DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo was disseminated this week to the provincial and the six municipal LGUs to ensure compliance in their areas of responsibility.

Activites set for PhilHealth anniversary
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A series of activities have been lined up by the Capiz PhilHealth Office to highlight the agency’s 16th year anniversary this month.Information Officer Mary Jane Amigo said the activities include the conduct of an advocacy campaign on the benefits of social health insurance.

Cluster activity will also be conducted at the Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital, to include out-patients orientation.

A PhilHealth member’s forum will be held February 24 to provide members with inputs on their roles and responsibilities as well as recent updates regarding the national health insurance program.

Cebu City index crimes down 30%
CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) – Index crimes in Cebu City from January 15 to February 15 this year has dropped nearly 30 percent compared to the same period in 2010.

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Police Director S/Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe said there were 511 index crimes recorded in various police stations in the city during said period compared to the 702 total index crimes recorded January 15- February 15, 2010, or a decline of 27.2 percent.

“This shows that there has been a drop in such index crimes as theft, robbery, carnapping and crimes against persons like murder and homicide,” Buenafe said.