‘BIR tax on raw sugar
will kill local industry’
FEDERATION LEADERS WARN
BY CARLA GOMEZ

MAKATI CITY – Sugar leaders yesterday said they are strongly opposing the new ruling of the Bureau of Internal Revenue to impose Value-Added Tax on raw sugar as it will have dire consequences on the industry already facing the threat of the entry of cheap imported sugar when tariffs are lifted in 2015.

“We have been carefully studying this new development with the industry leaders. A serious adverse effect on the sugarcane industry is foreseen,” Sugar Regulatory Administration chief Ma. Regina Martin said.

The presidents of the three major sugar groups in the country said they are calling for an emergency meeting to come up with a concerted drive against the latest BIR ruling.

Guv gets Sandugo
hall of famer award

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. received his Hall of Fame Award for Outstanding Local Government Executive during the 15th National Sandugo ceremonies held at The Heritage Hotel in Pasay City last night.

Marañon, who leads this year’s Hall of Famers, joins the elite group of local executives cited by the Philippine Red Cross and the Department of Health for his steadfast commitment to the national voluntary blood services program that motivates governors, mayors and barangay captains to be personally involved in the NVBSP, a press release from the Capitol said.

CLMMRH can
survive without pork 
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

The Chief of Hospital of the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, yesterday said that whether or not the hospital is given pork barrel, it will continue to provide services to its patients.

Dr. Julius Drilon also said that about P15 million in pork barrel funds from senators and congressmen are coursed throughthe regional hospital to help subsidize the medical needs of poor and indigent patients, as well as its operating expenditures.

The pork barrel fund released by the 14th Congress is still being
used by the hospital to provide services to many poor people. The Supreme Court only subjected to a temporary restraining order the Priority Development Assistance Fund for the 15th Congress, he pointed out.