Ilocos Sur town rolls out 40 vehicles using tobacco tax funds

Forty newly procured Toyota Tamaraw FX units are lined up in Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur. Thirty-six will be distributed to the town’s barangays to support public services and help farmers transport agricultural products. — Photo courtesy of Sta. Lucia LGU SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur — The municipal government has procured 40 brand-new Toyota Tamaraw FX units using its share from the tobacco excise tax under Republic Act No. 7171 to improve public services and transportation in the town’s 36 barangays. Mayor Joseph Simon Valdez announced Friday, Sept. 11, that 36 of the vehicles would be distributed to each barangay, while the remaining four would be used by the municipal government. The vehicles are expected to help barangays transport agricultural products, assist farmers in accessing essential services and bring government programs and assistance to residents. Article continues after this advertisement READ: DOF proposes unified, higher tobacco excise tax starting 2027 The procurement was funded through the municipality’s tobacco excise tax share (under Republic Act 7171) for calendar year 2023. The initiative was supported by the municipal council members led by Vice Mayor Eduardo Toquero and league of barangays president Napoleon Cortez. — Kenneth P. Tabin/Contributor /das Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.