Implementing energy-efficient measures to save P60-B

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 17, 2011—At least sixty billion pesos (P60 billion) will be saved this year alone if businesses implement energy-efficiency measures, an officer of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) said.
                “Of this amount, at least P12 billion would come from the Mindanao areas,” said Jesus C. Anunciacion, assistant director of the Energy Utilization Management Bureau of the Department of Energy (DOE), during the National Training Workshop on Energy Efficiency and Conservation at the Dynasty Court Hotel, March 16 and 17.
                In order to achieve the target savings, the DOE has partnered with DAP in implementing a capacity-building project aimed at training at least 600 private companies on energy management system.
                Alan Cajes, managing director of DAP’s Center for Sustainable Human Development, explained that when companies engage in energy efficiency and conservation, there is a subsequent increase in their levels of productivity and profitability.
                Thus, “it is very important to reach out to these sectors whose energy consumption level is very high,” he said.
                “Avoidance of wastages, like unnecessary energy consumption, is an indicator of a higher level of productivity,” Cajes added.
                But beyond economics, what is more important is that companies learn to protect the environment because lessenergy consumption means less burning of fossil fuels, which translates into less greenhouse gas emission.
                “Energy efficiency and conservation, therefore, results in triple bottomline: increased profit, motivated people and cleaner planet,” he said.
                The DAP said that energy efficiency and conservation is not only pure business. It also leads to a higher noble cause – for this and future generations.
                During the two-day workshop, at least 50 city-based companies participated in the training on how to conduct energy audit, efficient air conditioning and lighting systems and on fuel and motor efficiency.
                The training-workshop here was part of the series of training-workshops being conducted in 15 areas across the country. (Bong D. Fabe)

CDO income reaches P1.81-B in 2010

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 8, 2011—City Hall announced yesterday an 8.27 percent increase in its 2010 income which translates into P1.82-billion pesos, an amount which is P149.4 million higher than its 2009 income of P1.65 billion, proving once more that this capital city of Northern Mindanao is the fastest growing economy in 
the entire Philippines.
                In his annual report to the Office of the City Mayor, City Treasurer Lino Daral said the bulk of the city’s annual income came from its Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), which is P840.7 million.
                But City Hall’s top man, Mayor Vicente Y. Emano attributed this increase to astable economy and vibrant business climate.
                Daral attributed the significant increase of the city’s income to the concerted efforts among the personnel of the City Finance Department who adopted the spirit of “bayanihan” in the delivery of tax billings and collection of taxes in order to achieve its target collection.
                He said that revenues generated from local business taxes reached only P323.9 million.
                Revenue generated from other fees, taxes and charges followed next with P203.8 million; real property taxes-basic (70 percent), P163.7 million; and real property taxes-additional 1 percent Special Education Fund, 
P138.4 million.
                Other major sources of local revenue were real property taxes basic (30% village share), P70.2 million; income from public markets, P50.8 million; eastbound-westbound terminal and public market, P12.3 million; and 
slaughterhouse, P2.99 million.
                In 2010, the local government unit of Cagayan de Oro City also collected P16.4 million in amusement tax (P12.09 million); mining tax (P2.84 million); and tax for sand and gravel and other quarry products (P1.51 million).
                The city also received last year its national share from PCSO-Lotto income amounting to P6.98 million.
                The examination and audit of business operators' books of account indicated that the city earned P6.39 million in deficiency taxes, aside from verification of 16,348 business establishments that generated P2.35 
million.
                As part of its intensified tax inspection and tax mapping activities in 62 urban and rural villages, the City Treasurer's Office issued 5,123 demand letters to business establishments with no Mayor's permit. (Bong D. Fabe)