Philippines: Fighting causes new displacements in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines (1 March 2016-ICRC) – Clashes between government security forces and armed groups in the Maguindanao province of Mindanao have continued into their fourth week, causing displacement and casualties.

“We are worried about the fate of civilians caught in the fighting. We call on all parties to the conflict to strictly abide by international humanitarian law (IHL)," said Dominic Earnshaw, head of the ICRC office in Cotabato.

"In particular, we remind them that they should take all measures to avoid indiscriminate attacks that may harm civilians. We are deeply alarmed by incidents involving roadside explosive devices that have resulted in injuries and deaths."

To help treat all weapon-wounded – without any distinction – the ICRC donated emergency kits and medicines to health facilities in Maguindanao, Cotabato City and Sultan Kudarat.

A field assessment conducted by an ICRC team on 24 February showed that the displaced population in Maguindanao and North Cotabato have already benefitted from initial assistance provided by the local authorities.

“The ICRC will continue to monitor the situation of the affected population in order to identify any gaps in humanitarian assistance, in coordination with the authorities and the Philippine Red Cross,” added Earnshaw.

      

In addition, armed clashes erupted in Butig, Lanao del Sur, last week. Some residents had to leave their homes to avoid being caught in the fighting. The ICRC is closely following the situation, including the humanitarian consequences of these incidents. It stands ready to provide assistance to the affected population if needs are identified. 

The ICRC is a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organization whose mandate is to protect and assist people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. It has been present in the Philippines for over 60 years, and in Mindanao since 1982.

BIR marks PHP56.7-M increase in tax collection; adopts new collection approach in Zambo Sur

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?&sid=6&pfn=859563&arch=1&go=Go&search_arch=Pagadian%20city,%20Zamboanga%20del%20Sur&andor=and&mdte_arch=2&ddte_arch=0&ydte_arch=2016

Myrna Maslamama, Assistant RDO officer-in-charge

of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) through

Revenue District Office No. 92

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Feb. 22 (PNA) -– The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) through Revenue District Office No. 92 has registered in 2015 a 10.89 percent increase in collection of taxes representing PHP56,777,761.

Myrna Maslamama, Assista nt RDO-92 officer-in-charge, told the Philippines News Agency on Monday they have collected a total of PHP857,419,612.74 in 2015 which is higher by PHP56,777,761.57 compared to the PHP800,641,851.17 collection in 2014.

Maslamama said they registered an increase in taxes collection in 2015 despite they failed to meet the PHP1,061,258,000 target collection representing a decline of 19.59 percent.

For this year, Maslamama said they were tasked to collect almost PHP1.3 billion, which is 44 percent higher than last year’s target collection goal.

However, she is confident they will be able to meet this year’s target collection goal with the new approach they adopted under the leadership of Aminoding Macarampat, the new RDO-92 chief.

She said part of the new approach is the conduct of series of seminars and trainings to educate the taxpayers from the city and municipal level down to the barangays.

She said they included in the tax education drive the barangay officials, bookkeepers, tax agents, medical practitioners, professionals and business establishments.

“RDO Macarampat believes that a well-informed taxpayer is a compliant taxpayer,” she added.

She said they have noted in the course of conducting the seminars that several taxpayers are not aware of their withholding tax liabilities.

She said there are store owners who do not have the knowledge that they have to register with the BIR aside from securing business permits from the local government units.

She said they are also conducting tax mapping in the different towns to include the inspection of cash registered machines and the use of official receipts.

Maslamama urged the taxpayers to comply their obligation in filing the income tax return on April 15.

Myrna Maslamama, Assistant RDO officer-in-charge

of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) through

Revenue District Office No. 92 with Jong Cadion, CNN

Philippines Correspondent. (Photo by Ferd Libor)

BIR’s RDO-92 has jurisdiction over the entire province, which comprises of one component city and 26 municipalities. (PNA)

JMC/TPGJR/Hirohito D. Cadion