The local government of Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur has released last week these photos of projects under construction funded by the share of municipality from the collection of tobacco excise taxes under Republic Act 7171 (Virginia) and 8240 (Burley and Native tobacco): (1) multi-purpose center located at Bia-o Elementary School and (2) farmers’ multi-purpose building, both located in Brgy. Bia-o.
In another post, Sta. Maria LGU posted photos of the ongoing construction of seawall in the coastal barangay funded by the provincial shares from the tobacco excise tax collections.
The Sta. Maria Ilocos Sur FB account captioned the photos “BUILD, BUILD, BUILD” and indicated the sources of fund. Former NTA Candon Branch Manager Estrella G. De Peralta shared the photos in her own FB account and thanked the tobacco growers for their contribution to the construction of infrastructures that benefit the tobacco-growing community.
NTA Administrator/CEO Robert Victor G. Seares Jr. in recent pronouncements has commended local executives who have used a bulk of their resources sourced from their shares of the tobacco excise tax to set up programs and projects for the benefit of their local farmers.
[Source: Sta. Maria Ilocos Sur FB Account]