BIR in Bacolod on ‘Oplan Kandado’

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) region 12 will implement “Oplan Kandado,” a national campaign that seeks to run after tax evaders, according to director Rodita Galanto.

BIR commissioner Sixto Esquivias was in Bacolod City last week and met with BIR examiners here to brief them about the campaign.

Galanto said that managers, directors, and deputy commissioners conferred in Manila recently to impose the Oplan designed to run after taxpayers who evade their tax obligations to the BIR.

A closure of an establishment or entity will be effected once an establishment fails to issue cash register receipts, if the proprietor or owner fails to file income tax, and if found guilty of declaring income below 30 percent of its sale, Galanto said.

She said that Oplan Kandado is BIR’s way to reach its collection goal.

Galanto said that all district directors have been asked by the Commissioner to submit lists of recommendations of establishments or entities subject for closure.

The closure is five days to give the owner time to comply with the BIR requirements.* (PNA)

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Tuition Fee Hike Untimely - Gov

By Teresa Ellera-Dulla

Negros Occidental Governor Isidro Zayco is against any tuition fee increase during the opening of classes for school year 2009-2010.

A total of 258 private and public universities and colleges have expressed intention to raise their tuition. These institutions represent 15 percent of the 1,708 colleges and universities nationwide.

The petitions for tuition increase were filed despite the appeal by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for tertiary schools not to implement such hike for school year 209-2010 in connection with the economic crisis.

CHED Deputy Executive Director Julito Vitriolo admitted that these schools have the right to raise their tuition, but due to the economic debacle the commission is appealing to these schools to postpone it.

“We hope they will change their mind and put-off the planned increase. That is our call. They still have time to postpone it,” Vitriolo said.

Vitriolo also reminded school officials that they should be able to justify the reason for the hike. He also said parents should be consulted first before implementing such plan.

CHED Chairman Emmanuel Angeles has earlier released a memorandum appealing to the higher education institutions (HEIs) not to increase tuition and other fees for the coming school year.

He said the memorandum was based on the request of various groups, parents and students and the current economic condition of our country and the intensifying global crisis.

Student groups say the appeal is “spineless,” adding that a genuine moratorium should be implemented and not a mere appeal.

Governor Zayco wants a status quo to be observed by the schools and universities instead, because of the economic crisis and so any increase is uncalled for.*