SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is stepping up its tax collection campaign by intensifying monitoring of the issuance of official receipts in tourist resorts and restaurants among others. “We’re riding on the campaign of the Department of Tourism, ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’ thus BIR has coined its own slogan, ‘It’s more fun paying taxes’ particularly this summer where there is an influx of tourist, and thus, more taxes to collect,” said Roselyn N. Satajo, officer-in-charge of BIR in Antique. The BIR here and elsewhere is reminding business establishments to comply with invoicing requirements prescribed by the agency.
BACOLOD VOLUNTEERISM
BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occ. (PIA) — Bacolod City government officials and employees recently conducted a cleanup drive at Carlos Hilado Highway and Burgos Street. Moises de la Cruz, acting secretary to Mayor Evelio Leonardia, said the spirit of volunteerism was shown by the enthusiastic participation of those who joined the cleanup. City Clean and Green Team personnel, and those with the City Engineer’s Office, City Agriculture, and the Department of Public Service weeded out tall grasses near Bangga Cory; while City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office employees uprooted weeds at Burgos Street.
AGRI-RELATED COURSES
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) — Foundation University (FU) in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental will offer more agriculture-related courses, following the success of its Hydroponics program which involves growing plants without using soil. “We will have courses on tissue culture, organic farming, and other courses and we will offer them regularly to cater to the rising needs and interests of Dumaguetenos,” said FU College of Agriculture (FUCA) Dean Engr. Mark Espedilla said. As part of its summer course offerings, FUCA offered Urban Gardening with emphasis on hydroponics and aquaponics, a system combining aquaculture with hydroponics.
SUPPORT PLEDGED
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar (PIA) — The Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division based here has pledged to participate and support the Department of Education (DepEd)’s Brigada Eskwela activity from May 21 to 25 with troopers intending to extend services like masonry, carpentry, painting, plumbing, electrical, landscaping/gardening, and ordinary labor. The 8th ID commander, BGen Gerardo T. Layug directed all 8ID units to extend full support to the DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela in Eastern Visayas and in Cebu and Bohol provinces.
SENIORS’ SERVICE
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte (PIA) — The Maasin City Federation of Senior Citizens recently got a service vehicle from ANAD Party-list Rep. Pastor Alcover Jr. This is in response to a request for assistance made by the Federation in 2009. The ANAD Party-list delivered one multicab vehicle charged against the party-list’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), for the official use of the Federation comprising of senior citizens based in 70 barangays in Maasin City.