TUBOD, Lanao del Norte – In addressing the needs of the various Local Government Units  (LGUs) in the province and to speed-up tax collection that can be considered as one of the most stable sources of local revenues, Integrated Taxation Management System or i-Tax was implemented by the provincial government last year with over ten (10) LGUs initially participating and were given a hands-on  training on how to run and operate the program under the supervision of provincial assessor’s office and provincial treasurer’s office in the provincial capitol building.

Last July 16, Philippine-German Cooperation, Fiscal Decentralization Project (GTZ)- i-Tax was successfully deployed in the municipalities of Linamon, Bacolod, Maigo, Kolambugan, Tubod, Baroy, Lala, Kapatagan, Salvador and Balo-i and each was given two (2) sets of computer and one (1) printer for the program to be put into practice and be utilized.

The project is a province-wide program that aims to improve tax collection by sending out tax reminders and demanding action from the taxpayers. It is a convenient and efficient way of tax collection and therefore reduces expenses.

“Our goal is to improve our tax collection in the province so as to address education in Lanao del Norte without sacrificing the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) and the education budget coming from the national government,” Gov. Khalid Q. Dimaporo said, referring to the national budget for education in the province which is insufficient to the status quo of education system and current problems encountered by public schools in the locality.

The provincial government made it certain that the program would not be a burden to all the participating municipalities and shouldered the costs of hardwares to be used in the system including the trainings and seminars of the participants.

The commitment and the support of all the municipalities involved in the GTZ-i-Tax project will lead the province to greater heights of success. ARMS/PIO-LDN