Farmers demand accountability
TOBACCO EXCISE TAX
ALCALA–Tobacco farmers in Pangasinan, irked by the silence of former and incumbent officials over the Laoac Dairy Farm’s operations have asked the Commission on Audit, Department of Budget and Management (DBM and National Dairy Authority (NDA) to help provide the answers to their concerns.
“We want to know the truth where our tobacco excise tax was spent,” said Ruben M. Lagmay, president of the North and Central Luzon Tobacco Farmers Association, Inc.
He revealed that his group already sent letters to the COA, DBM and NDA to shed light on the operation of the Dairy Farm in Laoac, Pangasinan.
“Kaming mga magsasaka ng tabako ay nais malaman ang katotohanan kung magkano ang nagamit na Tobacco Excise Tax sa dairy project na itinayo ni dating Congressman Mark O. Cojuangco,” Lagmay stated in his letter.
The letters were sent to NDA Administrator Grace J. Cenas, DBM Secretary Florencio Abad, and COA Chairman Michael G. Aguinaldo.
Lagmay said Cojuangco admitted in his radio interviews that portion of the P600-Million tobacco excise tax went to the operation of the dairy farm but he (Cojuangco) cannot provide the complete details how much was really spent on the project.
“Nakakalungkot malaman na mismong si dating Cong. Cojuangco ang umamin na ang Dairy project ay nasa ‘survival mode’ at hindi na matustusan ang mga gastusin sa operasyon nito. Kung ginamit ang excise tax sa dairy farm na wala ring pakinabang ang mga magsasaka ay lalabas na nasayang lamang ang ginastos dito,” Lagmay emphasized.
Earlier, the Save Pangasinan Movement (SPM) published series of open letters in local newsweeklies addressed to former Cong. Cojuangco to explain the issues and concerns about the tobacco excise tax projects.
Atty. Pluto Cabalteja, the SPM secretary-general, admitted that until now the former solon has not yet answered their queries about the tobacco excise tax.
“Nakapagtataka na hindi niya (Cojuangco) maipaliwanag ang mga detalye sa dairy project niya sa Laoac samantalang ito ang ipinagmamalaki niyang nagawa niya sa 5th District,” Cabalteja pointed out Saturday.
Lagmay said his group also sent a letter addressed to Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. to help them know the truth behind the operation of the Laoac Dairy project.
Lagmay said the tobacco farmers are hopeful that the COA, DBM and NDA can provide answers to their queries.
It was learned that 5th Congressional District got the biggest share of the accumulated burley and native tobacco excise tax in Pangasinan which was released in 2010. (Leonardo Micua)
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