Two hundred twenty tobacco growers received financial assistance from the local government of Quirino, Isabela. The assistance came from the LGU’s share from the tobacco excise tax collection for locally manufactured tobacco pursuant to Republic Act (RA) 8240.
The distribution was led by Quirino Mayor Edward D. Juan and Vice Mayor Maria Nerizza J. Callangan, and NTA Isabela headed by Branch Manager Dr. Corazon R. Riazonda and Chief Agriculturist Joefrey T. Bautista
The LGU also utilized their tax shares to purchase 22 brand new mini-dump trucks to be distributed to the tobacco-producing barangays.
In a dialog after the distribution, Manager Riazonda discussed issues and concerns, particularly on downgrading of tobacco, high moisture (MC) of tobacco, low income and others, that came out during the trading operations.
Quirino, Isabela is the top-tobacco producing municipality in Isabela for the last four years.