TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Leyte launched the digital-based real property tax payment system last week, dubbed iTax.

The initiative is set to be rolled out to local government units across the province, board member Carlo Loreto said.

The launching took place at the mini-theater of the provincial capitol building in Palo town, presided over by Governor Carlo Jericho Petilla and attended by members of the provincial board along with several municipal chief executives from the province.

The iTax system represents a significant shift in real property tax payment procedures, offering taxpayers the convenience of paying anytime, anywhere.

This marks a noteworthy milestone as it simplifies procedures and addresses challenges associated with traditional tax payment methods.

Utilizing technology in tax payment alleviates issues such as long queues and the potential misuse of funds, Loreto said.

Taxpayers can now fulfill their obligations using their computers or mobile phones, bypassing the need for physical visits to assessors’ and treasurers’ offices.

“With the implementation of the new Web-based version of iTax, Leyte province aims to alleviate the burden placed on taxpayers, eliminating the need to physically visit the assessors’ office and endure long queues at the treasurers’ office,” Loreto said.

He further emphasized, “The ability to pay taxes online empowers individuals, including those residing abroad, to fulfill their tax obligations conveniently through computers or smartphones. This seamless accessibility enables taxpayers to manage their tax affairs at any time, from anywhere in the world, resulting in substantial time and cost savings.”

The adoption of technology to streamline tax payments benefits local governments by significantly increasing revenue collection, thereby generating more income to fund various infrastructure projects, healthcare programs and facilities, educational initiatives, and other projects aimed at improving the lives of the community.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Residents of the island villages in Guiuan town, Eastern Samar express gratitude to the Department of Health for providing them with a sea ambulance which they can rely on during medical emergencies.

Romulo Francillo, chairman of Barangay Cagusuan, representing officials from eight villages in Homonhon Island and the island village of Suluan, conveyed their long-awaited anticipation for this project.

Located along the Pacific Ocean, Suluan and Homonhon islands hold historical significance and are accessible by a two-hour boat ride during fair weather.

“We are immensely grateful for this project bestowed upon us by the government,” Francillo said during the turnover ceremony held at Sulangan Island.

“We recognize the significant assistance this sea ambulance will provide, especially during medical emergencies in our island villages,” he added.

The turnover of the P4.6 million sea ambulance was spearheaded by Department of Health Eastern Visayas Regional Director Exuperia Sabalberino, Guiuan Mayor Annaliza Kwan, 4Ps party-list Representative and Minority Floor Leader Marcelino Libanan, Vice Governor Maricar Sison-Goteesan, and members of the municipal council led by Vice Mayor Veronica Ramirez.

“I hope that the LGU will ensure the proper maintenance of this sea ambulance to benefit more patients, especially those residing in the island villages,” Sabalberino during the turnover ceremony on Thursday (Feb. 15).

“We, at the national government, are committed to assisting LGUs in need, particularly those with urgent requests,” the DOH regional director added.

Equipped with a stretcher, automatic defibrillator, nebulizer, portable suction machine, and other medical equipment, the sea ambulance is prepared to provide essential medical care.

Mayor Kwan expressed her appreciation for the swift response of the DOH to her request for a sea ambulance, which will serve residents living on islands under her town’s jurisdiction.

She assured that the LGU will responsibly manage the sea ambulance and will cover the salaries of the two individuals assigned to operate it.

The sea ambulance will ensure that residents of the two islands receive timely medical care while being transported to mainland health facilities, thus enhancing survivability.

In addition to the sea ambulance, the DOH also blessed the newly-rehabilitated rural health unit in Sulangan Island, catering to the health and medical needs of residents of Suluan and neighboring areas like Calicoan.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY-Following its successful national exposure in October 2023, ‘Kanta Binisay’a, curated by Tacloban’s esteemed musical arranger Dr. Stephen Q. Lagarde, takes a significant step by partnering with one of the city’s premiere educational institutions.

On February 14, 2024, the Leyte Normal University inaugurated “Kanta Areglo: Learning the Rudiments of Choral Arranging,” a three-day workshop designed to enhance the skills of Bachelor of Music Education faculty and students in musical arrangement.

A pioneering initiative in the region, Lagarde, the workshop’s resource person, uses the pieces he arranged for Kanta Binisaya, a musical collection featuring iconic ‘binisaya’ songs that highlight the rich musical heritage of Eastern Visayas

“I am primarily using our heritage music as tools in enhancing and enriching the musical arrangement skills of the faculty and students of the music program of LNU. We hope to offer this same workshop to others to keep the music scene in Tacloban vibrant,” expressed Prof. Lagarde amidst efforts to place Kanta Binisaya in an appropriate venue for cultural enrichment and education.

With the enthusiastic support of University President Evelyn Aguirre and the collaboration between the LNU Center for Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning headed by Jacqueline Espina, alongside the Music Education Department coordinated by Jay Mabini, the Kanta Areglo project aspires to position LNU’s music education program as a front-runner in the region.

“We envision this academic program to take a leading role in the promotion of our musical heritage as well as in honing our homegrown musical talents in the area of music composition and arranging,” Lagarde remarked optimistically, anticipating that Kanta Areglo will soon be accessible to the public, contributing to the promotion of Eastern Visayas’ musical heritage, culture and identity.
(TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)