by Info @Brand Zone | April 28, 2026
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ni BRT @Business News | April 27, 2026
Posibleng tumaas ang presyo ng alak kapag naaprubahan ang panukala sa Mababang Kapulungan ng Kongreso na pagtataas ng buwis sa nasabing inumin dahil 47 Pilipino umano ang namamatay sa bisyo na ito kada araw.
Ayon kay Akbayan Partylist Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula, panahon na para itaas pa ang tax sa alak dahil bukod sa masama umano ito sa kalusugan ay ito ang dahilan kung bakit maraming namamatay sa aksidente.
“Sa gitna ng economic crisis na kinakaharap natin ngayon, ayokong umabot tayo sa punto na sasabihin ng gobyerno: ‘Wala na tayong budget para sa libreng gamot’ o ‘Ubos na ang
pera para sa treatment’,” dagdag pa ng mambabatas.
Ito ang dahilan kaya inihain ni Ismula kasama ang mga kapartido sa Kamara para ihain ang kanilang House Bill (HB) 5475 para patawan ng mas mataas na buwis ang lahat ng uri ng alak upang tuluyang umiwas ang mga tao sa bisyong ito.
Sa ilalim ng panukala, itataas sa P88 ang ad valorem tax sa bawat litro ng alak mula sa kasalukuyang P48 habang ang specific tax na P47 ay nais ni Ismula na gawin itong P109 kada litro.
Kapag naisabatas ito, taun-taon ay tataas ang mga buwis na sisingilin sa bawat litro ng alak kasama excise at value added tax (VAT) na sinisingil ng mga manufacturers sa mga consumers.
by Info @Business News | April 24, 2026
Photo: DOST
𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗔𝗡 𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗢, 𝗟𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 — The Department of Science and Technology Ilocos Region (DOST Ilocos Region) awarded financial assistance to the 2nd batch of 2026 beneficiaries of the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) during a ceremony at the DOST Ilocos Region Innovation Hub on March 19, 2026. Known collectively as “Batch SIBOL” (Siyensya at Inobasyon para sa Bagong Oportunidad at Lunti-lunting Pagyabong), six cooperators received support and are set to “sprout,” embarking on a journey toward greater competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability.
Three firms from Ilocos Sur (Torres Ricemill, Melody’s Food Products, and Niks Printing Shop) collectively received ₱4,610,000.00 in financial assistance. Heisabelle Wood Works of La Union was granted ₱257,600.00, while HN Chicken Dealer and Obet Mushroom Farm in Pangasinan received a combined ₱1,549,800.00, further expanding support for MSMEs across the region.
Ms. Racquel M. Espiritu, Supervising Assistant Regional Director for SETUP, emphasized that the initiative supports long-term enterprise growth beyond financial aid. “This program is about giving our MSMEs the chance to sprout, grow, and flourish – bringing jobs, products, and services that uplift families and communities across the nation,” she stated.
Furthermore, Ms. Mary Ann B. Ofiana, Project Technical Assistant I, led the Gender Sensitivity Training, where she emphasized integrating gender perspectives and promoting equal opportunities in the workplace. This was followed by Ms. Katrina F. Ronquillo, SETUP RPMO Head, who outlined the beneficiaries’ duties as stipulated in the Memorandum of Agreement, discussed required reports, and answered participants’ questions.
Regional Director Teresita A. Tabaog congratulated the beneficiaries and emphasized the role of MSMEs in economic growth and inclusive development. “I hope that you will not be content with just receiving that fund and improving your current processes but do better in coming up with more creative things and more innovative things. And while you do those, you will be mirroring some of the best practices that other MSMEs can learn from,” she said.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Ms. Katrina F. Ronquillo, who thanked the Batch SIBOL beneficiaries for their trust and collaboration. “Your trust inspires us to do more, to serve better, and to continue bringing programs that truly make a difference,” she remarked. The ceremony highlighted the DOST Ilocos Region’s commitment to empowering MSMEs to grow, innovate, and achieve sustainable success, bringing ‘Agham na Ramdam’ closer to communities across the region. (Eldrick John Viluan and Katherine Grace Balanag)
