Dumaguete, Valencia top L.G.U. tax collectors

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental – Dumaguete City and Valencia town are among the top local government units (LGUs) in Negros Oriental with excellent tax collection records, according to Provincial Treasurer Danny Mendez. The two LGUs are now implementing the I-Tax system technology of the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) in their tax collections. Other LGUs with good tax collection records are Bacong, Sibulan and Manjuyod while Bayawan and Guihulngan cities are among LGUs with the lowest tax collection based on submitted records in 2010. Mendez said some reasons for low collections are insurgency, wide areas under public land and existence of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), such as in Bayawan with huge areas covered by CARP.

Solar-powered lamps eyed in Dumaguete

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PNA) – Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo is now contemplating on using green energy through solar power to save electricity and support the campaign against the effects of climate change. The plan is in line with the demonstration of Philippine Topunive Solar, Inc. promoting the use of solar energy for lamp posts. Two demo lamp posts with solar panels have been installed in front of the provincial Capitol; these can be charged even when the weather is overcast. Each solar lamp costs P125,000 with a lifespan of 25 years. Degamo plans to change all 40 lamp posts at the Freedom part with solar-powered ones.

No nooon breaks for frontline gov't offices

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PNA) – Government offices providing frontline services to the public should serve clients even during lunch break, as provided under Republic Act No. 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA). CSC Regional Director Rodolfo Encajonado said it does not mean public servants can’t have their lunch break, rather, agency heads are instructed to set a work schedule for em-ployees to ensure uninterrupted service in government offices.

New Bahrain jobs ban reiterated

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PNA) – The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) here reit-erated that only workers who are on vacation in the country are allowed to return to Bahrain provided they will not change employers. POEA regional manager Rhea Glenda Calantas said Alert Level 2 is still on in Bahrain, thus the ban for deployment of new and direct hired workers there remains. In connection, she asked Ilonggos to just wait and continue monitoring for updates. She said the situation is temporary and will be lifted once things turn to normal.

Anti-T.B. Control Group launched

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occ. (PIA) – The Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office has launched the Provincial Multi-Sectoral Alliance for Tuberculosis (TB) Control which is seen as a collaborative effort of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, the Department of Health (DoH), League of the Provinces of the Philippines (LPP), League of the Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Philippine Tuberculosis Society, Incorporated. The alliance is tasked to prevent the spread of TB in the province, help those afflicted with tuberculosis and find ways to sustain and provide more services related to TB control.