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PamCham organizes stakeholders’ meeting with the BIR |
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Written by Joyce Duldulao
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Tuesday, 07 April 2009 |
 On March 5, 2009 – PamCham called a stakeholders’ meeting with the Bureau of Internal Revenue seeking clarification on the recent directive of the Department of Finance on the lifting of the suspension of the “controversial” zonal values contained under Dept. Order Nos. 35-05 and 36-05. PamCham’s invitation was responded to by business luminaries from the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce. Likewise, the government sector led by Provincial Board Members Ric Yabut and JQ Quiambao, as well as City of San Fernando Pampanga Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, City Administrator Fer Caylao and City Councilor Alex Patio also heeded the call of the business sector by converging to Max’s Villa Del Sol Restaurant to manifest their support and concurrence with the appeal of the private sector for a review of the zonal values.
These adjusted zonal valuation rates were initially opposed to in 2006 by the business sector and was favorably responded to by the Department of Finance through the issuance of Dept. Order No. 38-06 which suspended the implementation of the new zonal rates premised on “numerous requests for the review of the zonal values prescribed in the Province of Pampanga.”
Lulled by the issuance of said suspension, the business sector was caught unaware of the issuance of Department Order No. 04-09 dated January 5, 2009 which lifts the suspension of the zonal values and was scheduled to take effect on March 13, 2009. This alarming development prompted the convening of the stakeholders’ consultation meeting with BIR’s Regional District Officer Atty. Jose Paulino, Asst. Regional District Officer Thelma Mangio and Ms. Amalia de Leon of the Assessment Department.
The meeting gave way to the airing of the various concerns and issues the business sector had against the controversial adjusted zonal rates. The BIR officers on the other hand were able to explain their side and requested from the stakeholders a letter requesting the deferment of the March 13 implementation of the adjusted zonal values.
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