Latest news with #203
GMA Network
01-07-2025
- GMA Network
BOC, DOH, DA unveil P34M worth of smuggled onions, frozen fish in Manila
The Bureau of Customs (BOC), along with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), unveiled several containers of misdeclared agricultural products at the Port of Manila on Tuesday. In the unveiling, authorities from BOC, DOH, and DA revealed that 6 container vans from China that were initially declared as 'mantou, egg noodles, and kimchi' turned out to be smuggled agricultural products worth at least P34 million. The imports reportedly arrived in the country on May 27 and June 1 and was flagged on June 10 to contain P10.2 million worth of red onions, P3.8 million worth of white onions, and P20.08 million worth of frozen mackerel. The smuggled imports added up to an estimated value of P34,203,504.38. 'As you see now, there are three agencies here working together because yung programa po ng gobyerno ngayon pagdating sa agricultural smuggling is a whole of government approach. Meaning, di po to responsibilidad lamang ng Department of Agriculture, tulong tulong po ang buong gobyerno dito,' said BOC Assistant Commissioner and Spokesperson Vincent Maronilla. (As you see now, there are three agencies here working together because the government's program when it comes to agricultural smuggling is a whole of government approach. This means that it's not just the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture, and that the entire government will work together on this.) Any individual found to be involved in the said importation may face charges for violation of the amended Agricultural Smuggling Act and the Customs and Tariff Act for Illegal Importation. DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Attorney Paolo Teston noted that unapproved agricultural produce may not be safe for human consumption. 'Pwede merong may mga lead, may poisonous products, heavy metals, mikrobyo [ang mga produkto na ito]… They did not go through the regulation of Food and Drug Administration. Yung FDA, yun ang trabaho para maging safe lahat ng pagkaing binebenta sa ating mga tindahan para sa mamamayan natin,' said Herbosa. ([These products] may contain lead, poisonous products, heavy metals, or microbes… They did not go through the regulation of Food and Drug Administration. That is the FDA's job to ensure that all the food being sold in markets to the public is safe.) He also pointed out that even the labelled products were considered contraband, as it did not follow the FDA regulations for English labels. Should the smuggled produce be declared safe for human consumption following further testing, the items may be turned over to the DA for distribution to the public. However, Laurel said the tested contraband were positive for and salmonella, which may lead to gastrointestinal illnesses and death in severe cases. 'Etong isda, mukhang may pag-asa na sana okay. Kung sakaling okay ito, malamang ipapamigay ito ni Pangulo sa mga tao pag tested as food-safe,' Laurel shared. (The fish may possibly be fine. If this is okay and tested as food-safe, it will most likely be distributed by the President to the public.) 'Ang E. coli causes gastro-intestinal illnesses, pagtatae, [at] paglalagnat. Kung may edad ka o batang-bata, pwede ka pa mamatay from dehydration. So, may issue talaga ng food safety ang smuggled food items,' Herbosa continued. (E. coli causes gastro-intestinal illnesses, diarrhea, [and] fever. If you are very old or very young, you may even die of dehydration. There really is an issue with food safety when it comes to smuggled food items.) On the part of the DA, Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that they have blacklisted a total of 18 companies for alleged smuggling from January to June 2025 and are looking into adding more following the unveiling of further suspected illegal imports in Subic. 'Mayroon kaming pinapahold na 59 containers sa Subic ngayon. I would like to inform everybody, lalo na sa customs brokers na nagre-release ng mga ito. Hahabulin [sila], kasama sila sa kaso ngayon. Hindi lang yung consignee… 18 na yung nakblacklist namin [na companies as of] 6 months. Magiging 25 pa yan pag nabuksan pa yung sa Subic,' said Laurel. (We are currently holding 59 containers in Subic. I would like to inform everybody, especially customs brokers that released these. We will chase [them down], and they are included in the charges now. Not just the consignee… There are 18 blacklisted [companies as of] 6 months. It will become 25 once we open once we open the ones in Subic.) 'As long as we work together, tuloy-tuloy, I am confident na 90% [ng mga smugglers] dito masusugpo natin. Noong ako ay nagswear-in nung November 2023, yan yung isa sa unang direktiba [ni President Marcos]. Solve agricultural smuggling, kaya di po kami humihinto diyan. Matinik din yung kalaban natin, pero as long as we work together here in government, I think we will solve the problem,' he added. (As long as we continuously work together, I am confident that 90% [of these smugglers] will be eradicated. When I swore in last November 2023, this was one of the first directives [of President Marcos]. Solve agricultural smuggling, so we will not stop. Our enemy is very clever, but as long as we work together here in government, I think we will solve the problem.) Laurel noted that DA is looking into calling for risk assessments on containers from China, following back-to-back smuggled import busts of agricultural produce from said country. '[Sa] China lahat [galing ang shipments], kaya magri-risk assessment tayo ng galing sa China [na containers]. Kung kailangan buksan lahat ng container galing China, gagawin natin yun para siguradong wala nang makalusot,' he said. (All [the shipments came from] China, so we will conduct a risk assessment on [containers from] China. If we need to open all containers from China, we will do so to ensure none of them will sneak past us.) Earlier, the DA reported that smuggled onions collected and tested from Paco Public Market last week have tested positive for E. coli. Laurel said the items had been confiscated in coordination with the LGU. A separate shipment of 25 metric tons of red onions were also found at the Mindanao International Container Terminal in Misamis Oriental. It will undergo further testing for contaminants, including heavy metals, pesticide residue, and other harmful bacteria. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
Daily Maverick
24-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
The tax implications of an RA, unit trust and tax-free investment
Investors need to consider various tax implications when comparing the three product options. Question: I am 55 years old and earn R25,000 a month. I have no retirement savings and want to invest R5,000 a month to supplement my spouse's pension. Should I invest this in a retirement annuity (RA), unit trust or tax-free investment? Answer: Each of these products has its own tax structure in terms of tax breaks when you invest the money; tax on the investment build-up; and tax applied to any withdrawals. You will need to take these into account when comparing the three product options. (See the table below.) I will take you through the typical calculations a financial planner would make. For the calculations, I will work on you investing R5,000 a month for the next 10 years. I have assumed that inflation will be 5% and that the investment returns will be inflation +4%. Retirement annuity The R5,000 investment you make to the RA will come off your taxable income. This will save you an amount of R1,300 in tax each month. (See table on the top right.) You can invest this additional R1,300 a month in an RA, which means your R5,000 investment is actually R6,300, with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in effect contributing the additional R1,300. If you invest R6,300 a month for 10 years, the investment should be worth R1,203,842. Now, with an RA, you are allowed to take one-third as a lump sum and the balance as a pension. (See the table below.) As you haven't taken a retirement lump sum before, the full amount of the lump sum will be free of tax, as the first R550,000 of a retirement lump sum is not taxed. It is recommended that you take a 5% drawdown from your retirement capital. This will give you R40,128 a year. This is too low to attract income tax, so your income and lump sum would be tax-free. (See the table below.) Tax-free investments and unit trusts You can only invest a maximum of R3,000 a month in a tax-free investment, so I will work on you investing the remaining R2,000 in a unit trust. After 10 years, the investment would be worth R1,007,288. (See the table below.) Drawings from the tax-free investment would not attract tax, whereas the drawdowns from the unit trust would trigger capital gains tax (CGT). However, the gain on these drawdowns should fall within the annual R40,000 CGT exclusion, so no tax is payable. The key difference is that the tax break when you invest the premiums makes the retirement annuity (RA) an attractive option. Returns I did some calculations and the unconstrained investments would have to deliver returns that are 5% better than the RA for the end value of the investment to be better than the RA. So, unless this can be achieved by the tax-free and unit trust portfolio, the RA would provide the best solution. DM Kenny Meiring is an independent financial adviser. Contact him on 082 856 0348 or at Send your questions to [email protected] This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers want to create tax credits to incentivize employers to provide child care
() Lawmakers are eyeing tax credits to help businesses provide child care to attract and retain workers. Both Minority Leader Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook) and Rep. Tavis Hasenfus (D-Readfield) presented proposals to the Taxation Committee on Wednesday to create income tax credits for employer-supported child care, though to slightly varying degrees. 'Lack of affordable childcare affects parents' ability to accept a job, maintain steady employment or reduce the number of hours they can work,' Stewart said. 'This all impacts our economic growth as a state. We can do better on this.' Stewart's legislation, LD 203, would authorize an annual credit of 50% of the amount spent on child care, or $3,000 per child, whichever is lower. Hasenfus amended his legislation, LD 1555, to authorize the same amounts. However, Hasenfus' version also has a per business cap of $36,000, which he said is intended to ensure the credit isn't used without end and to give a leg up to small businesses. 'Small businesses in Maine also often struggle to match the larger businesses and the benefits that larger businesses are able to offer,' Hasenfus said. The bills also differ on how long unused credits could be carried over. Stewart's legislation permits carry over for up to 15 years, whereas Hasenfus' version is only up to five years. Both bills stipulate that the credit would be subject to ongoing legislative review starting in 2030. While the bill sponsors and members of the public who testified in support of the bills said a lack of affordable and available childcare is an issue across the state, they particularly highlighted the challenges in rural areas. According to a study from the Bipartisan Policy Center, since 2019, 81 licensed child care providers in Aroostook County have closed, while only 38 providers have opened, resulting in a net loss of care for at least 516 children. There are only 84 licensed providers across the County. Just in March, a large child care facility in Presque Isle that served 71 children and 20 infants closed, with zero infant care available at any center nearby, said Readfield resident Krysta West, who is the deputy director of the Maine Forest industry Council. West said members of the council commonly cite the lack of child care as a reason they're unable to attract employees and some have therefore taken it upon themselves to fill that gap. For example, Maine Woods and its parent company, Seven Islands, has begun the process of setting up the 'Little Saplings' child care center in Aroostook County. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'Making visions such as Little Saplings become a reality requires substantial investment,' West said. 'Although they've stepped up to invest in child care needs, public private partnerships and new policy solutions are desperately needed to ensure that these ventures remain viable.' States have taken varying approaches to address childcare affordability. New Mexico became the first state to offer free child care to families earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level, or about $124,000 for a family of four. Nearby Massachusetts and Rhode Island use the subsidy approach, providing financial assistance to help families pay for child care programs. Some do not think tax credits are the solution. Maura Pillsbury, tax policy analyst for the progressive Maine Center for Economic Policy, argued the state should instead reinforce and build on what it's already done — investments that lawmakers are also currently weighing whether to reverse at the request of the governor to help fill the budget deficit. In 2021, Maine started providing $200 stipends per child care worker to help alleviate worker shortages during the height of the pandemic. Those monthly stipends doubled as part of the $59 million allocation to overhaul child care in the last biennial budget, spearheaded by former Senate President Troy Jackson (D-Aroostook). The package also expanded eligibility for the Child Care Affordability Program, which provides child care subsidies. The Mills administration had initially opposed Jackson's plan because of an expectation that funding for it would be inadequate. This year, Gov. Janet Mills suggested reversing those recent investments by cutting $30 million for child care worker stipends to bring them back to 2022 levels, among other funding reductions to services such as Head Start. Pillsbury requested lawmakers instead reject these cuts, arguing tax breaks for businesses are less efficient and equitable than providing direct subsidies. 'If we want to attract and retain more people in a career that prepares our youngest residents for success and gives workers in every corner of our state the chance to stay in their jobs, we must do better by them,' Pillsbury said. Questions raised by Rep. Shelley Rudnicki (R-Fairfield) suggested she may be opposed to the tax credit approach but for different reasons. 'Why should I and other seniors like me, who had to pay for our own childcare and didn't get these credits, now have to pay?' Rudnicki asked. Referring to home day care options, Rudnicki also questioned whether it would be more effective to loosen child care regulations instead. 'Is this really the best way to go about this?' West argued it is. 'It gives employers flexibility to pursue the needs of their local community,' she responded. Rudnicki similarly suggested licensing changes during the hearing for a bill to increase the state's child tax credit. That plan from Senate President Mattie Daughtry (D-Brunswick) to double the state's child tax credit for children under six years old would be paid for by phasing out the benefit for the state's highest earners. During that hearing, child care providers argued that loosening restrictions would damage the quality of the care and that liability insurance would likely refuse to insure providers. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Bill named after Ohio student hit, killed by driver near school making way through Ohio Statehouse
A new piece of legislation named in honor of an Ohio student is making its way through the Ohio Statehouse. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] House Bill 203, named the Aspen Runnels' Law, was introduced on March 26. The bill could create harsher penalties for distracted driving in a school zone. TRENDING STORIES: Township administrator on unpaid leave after OVI arrest Officers investigating after 1 shot in Downtown Dayton 11 minors, 1 adult arrested after attempted car break ins As our news partners at WCPO in Cincinnati reported, the bill comes after two crashes involving Lakota Local School District students walking to and from school. The student the bill is named after, Aspen Runnels, died after being hit while in a crosswalk at an intersection near Lakota East High School in May 2024. Runnels' mother, Christina Alcorn, told WCPO that she hopes this 'will be a deterrent.' As currently written, H.B. 203 would: Increase the penalties for vehicular manslaughter and vehicular assault involving speeding or the commission of a traffic offense in an active school zone. Require doubled fines for certain traffic offenses that occur in an active school zone. Establish additional requirements for driver's license reinstatement for an offender who committed vehicular homicide or assault in an active school zone. Establish requirements governing the posting of signage in school zones warning motorists of the bill's increased penalties. WCPO reported that Alcorn and Trisha Parnell have been pushing for harsher penalties for distracted driving while in a school zone. Parnell's daughter, Maddy Beare, was hit by a car near Lakota West High School in 2018. H.B. 203 is currently in the Ohio State House Judiciary Committee. We'll continue to track the bill as it moves through the statehouse. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cox signs 100 bills into Utah law ahead of looming deadline
SALT LAKE CITY () — Gov. Spencer Cox signed 100 bills in the latest legislative review session Wednesday, bringing the total to 476 bills signed with just over 100 left to act on before the upcoming deadline. Cox has until tomorrow, March 27, to sign the remaining bills. According to Utah law, any bills that are not signed or vetoed by the deadline will still become law without the governor's review. PREVIOUSLY — 'I must respectfully decline': Gov. Cox vetoes judicial reform bill, signs 200 other bills The governor signed several notable bills into law this round, including ' which is a controversial bill changing Utah's mail-in voting system. This bill requires voters to opt in to the mail-in ballot system and changes the postmark deadline so only ballots that arrive by election day can be counted. Cox also signed multiple tax bills, including H.B. 106, 'Income Tax Revisions,' which will reduce the income tax rate from 4.55% to 4.5%, and ' which makes it so seniors making $90,000 a year or less won't have to pay income tax on their social security. Another notable bill signed in the latest review is S.B. 203, 'Judicial Standing Amendments,' which is a bill that limits who can have third-party standing in court and adds requirements for associations bringing a case on behalf of its members. Critics of the bill previously argued that this would make it harder for 'everyday Utahns' to challenge laws. Here's what the Utah legislature did with tax cuts in 2025 While the majority of the bills passed during the 2025 Utah Legislative Session have been reviewed by the governor, there are still a few controversial bills that have yet to be signed or vetoed. — a bill that would ban flags representing the LGBTQ+ community in schools and other government buildings — has yet to be addressed by Cox. A bill that would make Utah the first state to remove fluoride from its water — ' — is also awaiting the governor's review. H.B. 265, 'Higher Education Strategic Reinvestment,' has also yet to be reviewed. The bill could lead to greater budget cuts for universities, specifically for programs that do not align with the Utah State Board of Education's vision and requirements. Cox has one day left to review the remaining 105 bills before they become law — with or without his approval. Read the full list of newly signed bills below: H.B. 26 Road Jurisdiction Amendments Utah Housing Amendments School Safety Amendments English Learner Amendments H.B. 51 Higher Education Reporting Amendments H.B. 53 Litter Cleanup Amendments H.B. 76 Public Education Revisions Vaccine Amendments H.B. 91 Technical College Amendments H.B. 106 Income Tax Revisions H.B. 124 Education Industry Employee Privacy H.B. 127 Sexual Crime Amendments H.B. 131 Talent Ready Utah Program Amendments H.B. 142 Service Member and Veteran Amendments School District Contracting Amendments H.B. 184 School Trust Land Amendments H.B. 191 High School Credit Amendments H.B. 195 Firearm Retention Amendments Vehicle Traction Amendments Highway Expansion Impacts on Signage Amendments Stipends for Future Educators Grant Program Amendments H.B. 209 Homeschool Amendments H.B. 219 Charter School Funding Revisions H.B. 222 Access to Traffic Accident Evidence H.B. 228 Public Education Immunization Amendments Transportation Funds Amendments H.B. 233 School Curriculum Amendments Nuclear Power Amendments Medicare Supplement Insurance Amendments First Credential Program H.B. 261 Towing Modifications H.B. 265 Higher Education Strategic Reinvestment H.B. 281 Health Curriculum and Procedures Amendments H.B. 300 Amendments to Election Law Disability Coverage Amendments Higher Education Revisions H.B. 344 School Fees Amendments H.B. 345 State Park Road Amendments H.B. 355 Mining and Critical Infrastructure Materials Amendments H.B. 357 Medical Cannabis Modifications H.B. 360 Housing Attainability Amendments Drug Overdose Training Amendments Maternal and Infant Amendments H.B. 365 Mental Health Care Study Amendments H.B. 368 Local Land Use Amendments H.B. 379 Population Data Amendments H.B. 380 Presumption of State Jurisdiction Amendments H.B. 390 Religious Expression in Higher Education H.B. 404 Government Employment Amendments H.B. 410 Child Care Amendments Municipality Regulation of Open House Amendments H.B. 424 School Activity Eligibility Commission Amendments H.B. 428 Property Tax Changes Rural School Funding Amendments S.B. 9 Revenue Bond and Capital Facilities Amendments S.B. 13 Property Tax Reimbursement Amendments Property Tax Notice Amendments Services for Department of Defense Civilian Employees S.B. 23 First Home Investment Zone Amendments Refugee Services Amendments S.B. 42 Consumer Protection Amendments S.B. 44 Professional Licensure Amendments S.B. 45 Juvenile Court Procedures Amendments Youth Electronic Cigarette, Marijuana, and Other Drug Prevention Program Sunset Extension Behavioral Health Amendments S.B. 49 Insurance Investment Amendments Newborn Relinquishment Amendments S.B. 64 Medical Cannabis Amendments S.B. 65 Medication Assisted Treatment Amendments S.B. 70 Consumer Reporting Amendments S.B. 71 Social Security Tax Revisions S.B. 78 Homeless Individuals Protection Amendments Autopsy Photo Amendments S.B. 86 Workplace Protection Amendments S.B. 96 Advanced Air Mobility Amendments S.B. 115 Substance Use Disorder Revisions Domestic Relations Recodification S.B. 120 Controlled Substances Modifications Metal Purchase and Theft Amendments Health Care Decisions Act Amendments S.B. 139 Mineral Rights Amendments S.B. 142 App Store Accountability Act S.B. 146 Glucagon Amendments S.B. 164 Modifications to Election Law Child Welfare Amendments Housing Affordability Amendments Throughput Infrastructure Funding Amendments S.B. 190 Workers' Compensation Modifications S.B. 195 Transportation Amendments S.B. 201 Real Estate Amendments Judicial Standing Amendments S.B. 204 Right to Appeal Amendments S.B. 213 Sales and Use Tax Modifications S.B. 217 Recycling Waste Amendments Health Care Services Platforms Abandoned Aircraft Amendments S.B. 250 Community Development Modifications Railroad and Transportation Amendments S.B. 268 Rules Review and General Oversight Committee Amendments S.B. 272 Micro-education Entity Amendments Matthew Drachman contributed to this reporting. 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