Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Solon Wants Pardon Rep. Pacquiao

Aklan Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores called on the House of Representatives to excuse the holder of eight (8) world boxing championships Rep. Manny Pacquiao for his absences in the House of Representatives.

"Giving pardon to Pacquiao for his absences is one way of expressing the gratitude of his colleagues for being pride to the country. Pacquiao is known in the world as the best boxing champion, Miraflores pointed out.

Miraflores considers Pacquiao a responsible lawmaker." Even if he was busy with his training and boxing fight, Pacquiao is able to fulfil his responsibility as a representative of Sarangani. The boxing champ is also active during plenary session. He has already delivered two privilege speeches", said Miraflores.

Miraflores is chairman of the House Committee on Tourism and on his third term as congressman. He knows of no lawmaker is ever penalized for being always absent in the sessions of the House of Representatives.

Romano Resigns

Undersecretary Vicente Romano of the Department of Tourism (DOT) resigned from his office following public disapproval and of President Noynoy Aquino of an ad material "Pilipinas Kay Ganda". The Philippines through the DOT has spent several millions of pesos in coming with the public relations material to cajole foreign tourists to visit the Philippines.

But why did the Undersecretary resigned? Why not the secretary? Following excellent public management practice and principle, it is always the head of office who takes responsibility of any project, job or activity done in his/her coverage in this case, the DOT.

When a job is successfully done, the credit is first attributed to the head of office. On the other hand, when a project fails, the head of office is responsible as well.

While authority can be delegated to a subordinate, the head of office retains the responsibility.

In this DOT promotional material which the public rejected, DOT Secretary Alberto Lim is still responsible. Hence, he must resign as DOT Secretary. He cannot assign all the fault to his subordinates.

This is the second time Sec. Alberto Lim bungled his tourism job. The first time was when he suggested to tourists to go elsewhere because Boracay Island Resort is over crowded, and dirty.

BIR Seeks Assistance

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Kalibo, Aklan appeals for help of the Aklan Public Information Officers Association (APIOA) in disseminating information to attain an effective tax collection in the province of Aklan and to reach its collection target, reported PIA’s Venus Villanueva.

Atty. Vicente Tady, BIR-Aklan RDO-17 OIC ARDO aired this appeal during the Briefing/Update on BIR’s activities and tax collection accomplishment in the province.
More than 30 APIOA officers and members attended the briefing, which was held November 23 at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall, Provincial Capitol compound, Kalibo.

The activity was part of BIR’s year-round Public Assistance Awareness Campaign which the PIA is assisting to ensure extensive dissemination of information on their tax collection activities and in the process encourage Aklanon taxpayers to pay their taxes correctly and promptly.

Atty. Tady reminded Aklanons to ask for receipts everytime they pay goods or services.

The receipts amounting to P100.00 and above could be used in joining the BIR’s Premyo Sa Resibo promo," added Tady.

The latest BIR-Aklan record according to Atty. Tady show that for October 2010, the revenue district was able to collect P50,417,122.77. Last year for the same period, BIR-Aklan was able to collect P43,820,187.02, showing an increase of P6,596,935.75, or 15.05 percent. /MP