BIR shuts down 3 establishments
BY LISA GATAC

The Bureau of Internal Revenue Region VI temporarily closed three establishments yesterday in Bacolod City under its Oplan Kandado program.

The Golden C-Cube Commercial at the Pahanocoy Highway in Brgy. Tangub, the Golden C-Cube hollow blocks factory at corner C.L. Montelibano Street and Narra Avenue , and the Buddy Variety Store at the downtown area, were the first three establishments that were temporarily closed.

They were closed pursuant to section 115 of the Revenue Memorandum Order No.3-2009, which states that the commissioner has the power to suspend the business operations and temporarily close the business establishments for any of the following violations: failure to issue receipts or invoices, failure to file a value-added tax return as required under section 114 and understatement of taxable sales or receipts for the taxable quarter.

They blinked.

After a series of deliberations and feedback from scientists and experts, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental reached a consensus to amend the controversial ordinance banning the entry of genetically-modified organisms into the province, ViceGovernor Emilio Yulo III said yesterday.

This was after majority of the members of various committees who reviewed the ordinance, made four preliminary agreements that include among others, allowing the entry of GMO products for processing into feeds to cater to the needs of livestock and poultry industries, the entry of non-living GMOs as well as pharmaceuticals and medical products, and the conduct of research and development under strict controlled conditions.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia yesterday said his administration has accommodated the most number of informal settlers in relocation sites provided by the city government.

The mayor was reacting to the statement of former Vice Mayor Ramiro Garcia that “the city has no overall plan for the squatters.”

He asked Garcia what they had done for the squatter families during their administration.