IN BRIEF

BOC, cigarette makers aim to curb smuggling

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) is working with leading cigarette manufacturers to develop strategies in further improving the government’s campaign against tobacco smuggling, classified by lawmakers as a form of economic sabotage.

“Our goal and our mandate is to put these smugglers away and make them accountable, answerable and ultimately, face the consequences of what they do,” said Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.

Rubio met recently with Philip Morris International (PMI) and Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp. (PMFTC) executives, joined by Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service director Verne Enciso and Intellectual Property Rights Division chief Paul Oliver Pacunayen.

“So, in this meeting, we identified the gaps in our strategies. These groups (illegal traders) have been very creative and aggressive in entering our markets so our cooperation with tobacco companies is aimed at answering these with even more comprehensive methods to intercept their modus,” said Rubio. Joel E. Zurbano

QC gov’t set to grant discounts on RPTs

THE Quezon City government will implement updated discounts for payment of real-property tax (RPT) beginning next year with those paying in full on or before Dec. 31 eligible for a 20-percent discount.

Mayor Joy Belmonte signed Ordinance No. SP-3179 of 2023 that amended Section 12 (d), Article 7 of the Quezon City Revenue Code.

“We are collecting more taxes to be able to give more to our QCitizens who are paying their obligation to the local government diligently and in a timely manner,” she said.

The city government implements one of the lowest real property taxes in Metro Manila, she added. Rio N. Araja

355 find work during Caloocan’s 9th job fair

A TOTAL of 355 job seekers were hired on the spot by the 57 participating companies in Caloocan City’s 9th Mega Job Fair, raising the 34-percent success rate from the previous job fair to 45.6 percent.

Some 780 job applicants attended the event conducted by the local government unit through its Public Employment Service Office (PESO), at the Bulwagang Katipunan on July 26.

Mayor Dale Gonzalo Malapitan thanked the PESO for its continued efforts to organize the job fair and called on more residents to continue attending the next career expos that will be provided by the city.

“Muli po tayong nagpapasalamat sa PESO para sa isa na namang matagumpay na job fair ngayong buwan. Patuloy lang po ang pagsasagawa natin ng mga programang magbibigay ng kabuhayan sa atin mga kababayan kaya sana po ay mas marami pa sa inyo ang dumalo sa susunod,” Mayor Along stated. Jun David

NATIONAL MUSEUM-

CEBU. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. cuts the ceremonial ribbon during the inauguration of the National Museum of the Philippines – Cebu, also known as the Central Visayas Regional Museum, located at the Old Customs House within Plaza Independencia in Cebu City. The facility offers an array of Cebu’s rich artistic, cultural and natural heritage. Rey Baniquet