MANILA: Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos has lauded the Metro Manila Council (MMC) for granting a three-year moratorium on amusement taxes, saying it is big step to revive the Filipino film industry.
‘I am glad that the MMC responded affirmatively to our call. Malaking bagay po na kami po ay inyong pinakinggan dahil ito ay isang malaking hakbang para makatulong sa ating pelikulang Pilipino (It is a welcome development that you listened to us because this is a big step to help our Filipino film industry),’ Abalos said in a statement on Saturday.
According to Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairperson Don Artes, the National Capital Region (NCR) local government units (LGUs) will ratify their ordinances in support of the resolution passed by the MMC to waive amusement tax for Filipino movies screened in Metro Manila from Jan. 8 to Dec. 24 in the next three years.
The move was in accordance with Section 140 of the Local Government Code of 1991 st
ating, among others, that the province may levy an amusement tax to be collected from the proprietors, lessees, or operators of theaters, cinemas and concert halls.
They also include circuses, boxing stadia, and other places of amusement at a rate of not more than 10 percent of the gross receipts from the admission fees.
Abalos described the resolution as a timely response to the appeal of local filmmakers, and a critical step to boost the film industry and ensure the production of quality films in the country.
He likewise urged other LGUs around the country to follow suit.
‘Sana hindi sa Metro Manila lamang. Sana pati sa ibang bahagi ng Pilipinas ay ma-lift ang amusement tax (Hopefully not only in Metro Manila. I hope the amusement tax will be lifted in other parts of the country as well),’ Abalos said.
Last January, Abalos gathered some of the biggest movie producers in the local movie industry together with Film Development Council of the Philippines Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Tirso Cruz
III to discuss the lingering issues of local film producers.
During the said meeting, Abalos urged LGUs to grant a tax holiday for the next three years waiving the amusement tax of local movies in aid of struggling Filipino movie producers.
Source: Philippines News Agency
Phu Yen: Phu Yen province holds potential to become one of the major tourist hubs of Vietnam and the south central region and it needs to further tap cultural factors for tourism development, said National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on March 2.
At a working session with the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee, Hue praised the province for its socio-economic achievements, especially a gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth of 9.16% last year, ranking 10th nationwide and third among 14 localities in the central region.
In 2023, the total investment capital realised in the province reached over 24 trillion VND (973.4 million USD), an increase of 25.8% over the same period. The province paid much attention to infrastructure development, cultural promotion, ensuring social security and social welfare, employment, and labour market development.
Hue said the province needs to identify industrial production as one of its main and key driving forces and call on strategic investors. It shou
ld focus on high-tech agriculture and well manage seafood exploitation.
As 2024 is the year for the province and the whole country to strive to achieve the set targets, the NA Chairman asked Phu Yen to give priority to infrastructure development, particularly in the field of transportation.
He asked the province to take drastic measures to speed up land clearance and remove difficulties and obstacles for key projects, especially the Eastern North-South Expressway component project passing through the province; improve investment and business environment, leadership, management and administration capacity of party committees and authorities at all levels; and promote administrative reforms.
On the occasion, the top legislator mobilised 10 billion VND to build a school and 5 billion VND to build 100 charity houses in the province.
Earlier the same day, Hue and the delegation inspected the anti-erosion embankment along Xom Ro beach in Phu Dong ward, Tuy Hoa city. The construction of the 1 km-long embankment
at a cost of 150 billion VND is expected to be completed in August 2024./.
Source: Vietnam News Agency