The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) Ilocos Norte Branch Office has established tobacco monitoring points in two major exits in the province, in cooperation with the Provincial Government, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the local government units sharing boundaries with adjacent provinces. The formal launching of the monitoring points in Ilocos Norte-Abra Boundary in Nueva Era and in Ilocos Norte-Ilocos Sur boundary in Badoc was held simultaneously on March 15.
According to NTA Ilocos Norte officer-in-charge Luzviminda U. Padayao, the transport of tobacco outside the province will be monitored in the checkpoints as a protocol in ensuring that tobacco production in Ilocos Norte are documented. She added that this will increase tobacco production in the province in relation to area planted, and that the local government units will get an equitable share from the tobacco excise tax under Republic Acts 7171 and 8240.
“We can also check if the leaf buyers involved in the transport have certificate of authority to buy issued by the NTA,” she added.
The coordination of the agency, the provincial government, and PNP was discussed during the Orientation on Tobacco Monitoring for Trading Year 2021, which was attended by Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc and NTA Governing Board Member Nestor C. Casela, held at the NTA Gallery in Batac City on March 10.
The launching of the Nueva Era monitoring site in Barangay Poblacion (in Photo) was graced by PNP Provincial Director PCol. Cristopher N. Abrahano, Edwin C. Carino (representing the provincial government), Lolita Raposas of the Provincial Agriculture Office, Nueva Era Mayor Aldrin R. Garvida, Vice Mayor Caroline Garvida, and Municipal Agriculturist Kleng Domingo. PNP Deputy Provincial Director PLtCol Randy C. Baoit, Badoc LGU Administrative Officer Janice Gorospe (representing Mayor Maximo D. Cajigal), Municipal Agriculturist Leonora Escarda, and representatives from the Provincial Government, attended the launching of the Badoc monitoring site in Barangay Sta. Cruz.
NTA senior officials, headed by Divina D. Pagdilao, acting Chief of Operations, and Saturnino Agatep, acting Senior Tobacco Production and Regulation Officer, facilitated the twin launching of monitoring sites.
[Divina D. Pagdilao]