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04.05.08Ifugao and Isabela to Split Power Tax
Kudos to Ifugao Governor Teddy Baguilat for working out this deal which will result in more tax money (in the tune of P57 million) flowing into Ifugao. Equal kudos goes to Isabela Governor Grace Padaca for agreeing to the deal. Finally, the court which brokered the agreement also deserves kudos. As Trublue says, “Cheers to you all!”Ifugao, Isabela OK deal to split P114M in taxes
By Vincent Cabreza, Villamor Visaya/PDIBAGUIO CITY – Ifugao and Isabela have agreed to split a P114-million transfer tax paid by the new operators of the 360-megawatt Magat hydroelectric power plant, easing the tension between the two provinces over the power facilities’ profits.
Ifugao Gov. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. said he and Isabela Gov. Maria Gracia Cielo Padaca agreed to a 50-50 percent split during a six-hour meeting at an Isabela resort on Monday.
It was the first meeting set to resolve their legal and boundary problems, which resurfaced when Magat was sold to the SN Aboitiz Power Inc. (Snap) in 2007, Baguilat said.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue said taxes were paid to Isabela in the last few years of the Magat plant operations because the facility was located in what had previously been acknowledged as Isabela territory.Magat’s main plant is located in Ramon town. But Baguilat said some of the areas attributed to Isabela are Ifugao lands.
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04.05.08Interesting, Very Interesting
It’s not often that Cordi legislators land in the news for their legislative initiatives so this news report is interesting. Not sure what to say about it yet but we hope to get a copy of the bill to understand it more clearly hehe.
Based on the report below however, it seems like the bill is out to do a lot of things: sanction impersonators (does this include anti-Gloria impersonators?); prohibit religious or racial discrimination; prevent unnecessary, unjustified, illegal and degrading search because of his or her clothing, religion, color, creed and ethnic identity; discrimination of job applicants because of his or her name, religion or ethnic background; etc.
Quite a tall order. By the way, I heard some stories about our Muslim brothers and sisters having to change their names to non-Muslim sounding ones just so they can have a chance to get employed. Apparently, some employers/recruiters will reject a candidate’s resume simply because of his/her Muslim name.
How bad is that? Very bad. And we have the gall to call ourselves “the only Christian nation in Asia”. What a shame, no?
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03.10.08Apologies for the Past
I first thought of just adding this to the quick links I posted earlier but then thought that maybe it needs a post of its own.
I think the Japanese tend to have a longer memory than Filipinos so it’s good that they continue to remind us of the lessons of the past. In the GMA News article which you will find below, two Japanese women went to Kiangan, Ifugao to apologize in behalf of some Japanese soldiers for the horrors of World War II.
I’m sure you’ll agree that apologies like these are welcome. Still, in addition to these individual apologies, the Japanese government should also apologize for forcing women to become sex slaves during the war. It’s refusal to apologize on this matter continues to be a thorn in Japan’s otherwise good relations with the Philippines as well as other parts of Asia.
Anyways, in case you missed our earlier posts on the heroism of our people during the second World War, here are the links: Those Gallant Igorots; A Video Documentary; Those Gallant Igorots: A Word From the Producers; and Major Dennis Molintas.
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03.07.08Quote of the Day
“It is ironic that this administration is asking the governors to declare support yet it could not act on simple requests like the tax my province is entitled to. This administration appears to have a selective amnesia.”
“My support for [Ms Arroyo] is conditional. For the moment, I am for the rule of law. I, too, would like to know the truth. For most Ifugaos, the issue of supporting [Ms Arroyo] in this troubled times depended on Malacañang’s willingness to address my constituents’ concerns.”
– Ifugao Governor Teddy Baguilat. Read the Inquirer report here.
This is how you play the game, folks. If you support a president who never received the mandate of the people, at the very least, you should demand something in return that redounds to the benefit of your constituents. Hindi yung blind support lang na wala kang mapapala.
It’s a good thing that the Ifugao governor is using his support for Gloria as a card to ask for the taxes that should rightfully go to Ifugao. In an ideal world however, those taxes should have been given to Ifugao from the very beginning. And in an ideal world, Gloria should not be sitting in Malacañang.
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03.06.08News Bits and Quick Links
* Three killed, 26 hurt in Kalinga bus crash. [GMA News]
* It’s still cold in Baguio and the rest of the highlands. Don’t put away those thick jackets just yet. [Inquirer]
* “You ignored us,” barangay officers tell Panagbenga organizers. [Sunstar]
* Abra Gov. Eustaquio “Kit” Bersamin elated over the filing of two counts of murder against former Gov. Vicente “Vicsyd” Valera for the killing of his brother Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin last December 2006. [GMA]
* Let’s give a shout out to the Anao Farmers Association (AFA), an Ifugao farmer’s group which will be competing in the nationwide Gawad Saka Search 2008. [Sunstar]
*Arcelie Loagan, the OFW murdered in Calgary, wrote an article about her faith in God two years ago. Read it here.
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03.03.08Let There Be Light
Remember the first time electricity came to your town or barangay? I was in elementary school when it came to my village. If I remember correctly, they “turned the light on” during the birthday of President Marcos, September 11. Tapos sabi nila, gift daw iyon ni Macoy sa mga iSagada. Talk about patronage politics and building a personality cult.
Anyways, I have to admit that I once thought that you will die if you touch the electric wires inside the house. What do I know, hehe. I’m not from the boondocks for nothing.
So why all this talk about electricity? Because I’m excited for our kailiyans in five Mayaoyao barangays who will soon be having electricity. I’m sure it will make life easier for them. We hope that our officials and the power cooperatives will continue to bring light to the villages. Go Ifelco!
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03.03.08Cute, Little Cordillera Birds
Videofied photos of birds in the highlands. The photos were taken from Mt. Data to Banaue according to the person who made the video. Do you think this video can teach us to view birds differently, i.e., that they’re not just a source of meat?
I must admit that I used to scoff at people who were campaigning against bird catching but I have since changed my mind and accepted their views. What precipitated that change? Well, I used to have a boss who was so passionate about birds. He was really into this bird-watching thing and kept talking about birds and birds and birds. Miraculously, I wasn’t turned off by all the bird talk hehe.
VIDEO CREDIT: neon2rossell
