Last Friday, March 8, 2024, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) officially kicked off its national tax campaign in the province, holding a motorcade around the Virac población that ended at the Plaza Rizal Covered Courts where a program was held.
With the theme “Sa Tamang Buwis, Pag-asenso’y Mabilis,” the bureau starts its tax campaign activities this year, calling for more responsible and tax-oriented citizenry.
Present during the kickoff event were BIR Regional Director Atty. V C. Cadangen, OIC-Revenue District Officer Maria Cristina Yuson, Virac Mayor Samuel Laynes and PBM Rafael Zuniega, who represented Gov. Joseph Cua.
But not all residents who witnessed the motorcade were motivated by the BIR’s zeal.
Some business owners were not exactly elated by event, with one even sending a message indicating that the revenue collecting agency is shameless (daing supog).
Their grumbling is understandable.
In the past two years or so, the BIR regional office has issued the dreaded Letter of Authority (LA) to its local assessment officers authorizing them to investigate the books of businesses for possible violations.
Many were indeed forced to pay huge sums in fines, penalties and surcharges.
Then last January 2024, the local businesses saw their mayor’s permit fees increase considerably as the LGU’s licensing office began charging each and every activity engaged in by the establishments.
To most of them, this year is not conducive to business as they already started out in the red.
But the BIR is still BIR. Just like the United State’s IRS, it will collect its taxes whether we like it or not.
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A friend of mine is looking for a four-bedroom house in Virac to rent for their Holy Week vacation.
Of the seven days, two will be spent by the 12-person group in Caramoran.
He looked for an available Airbnb house and found none.
Hotels and inns are likely to be booked solid during the period as tourists and balikbayans spend the Semana Santa away from the hustle and bustle of the cities.
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At the column writing contest of the 2024 Division Schools Press Conference last March 8-10 at the twin venues of CNHS and Virac Pilot ES, there were certainly a number of students who can express themselves well through words.
But the main problem was their failure to seamlessly integrate their personal opinions or experience into their assigned op-ed pieces.
They would need to read more news and fiction, not only on the Internet, but on real newspapers and novels. Reading frequently will enhance their writing skills for any contest.
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A CHILD FOR THE CIRCUS. A husband and wife who work for the circus go to an adoption agency looking to adopt a child, but the social workers there raise doubts about their suitability.
So the couple produce photos of their 50-foot motor home, which is clean and well maintained and equipped with a beautiful nursery.
The social workers are satisfied by this but then raise concerns about the kind of education a child would receive while in the couple’s care.
The husband puts their mind at ease, saying, “We’ve arranged for a full-time tutor who will teach the child all the usual subjects along with French, Mandarin, and computer skills.”
Next though, the social workers express concern about a child being raised in a circus environment.
This time the wife explains, “Our nanny is a certified expert in pediatric care, welfare, and diet.”
The social workers are finally satisfied and ask the couple, “What age child are you hoping to adopt?”
The husband says, “It doesn’t really matter, as long as the kid fits in the cannon.”