Mine at a loss where to pay taxes BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya –An Australian gold mining company said on Wednesday it was at a loss where to pay real property taxes because the court was yet to decide on conflicting jurisdiction over its location between the provinces of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya, a company official said. Jose Leviste, Jr., President of the Oceana Gold Inc (OGPI), said the company has deposited P28 million under an escrow account with a trial court in Makati, which will cover its tax liabilities as soon as the court decides on the claims of the two provinces. “We wish to reiterate the company’s position that the matter of the payment of real property taxes continues to be the subject of the “interpleader” case pending before the court,” Leviste said in a letter to Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Ruth Padilla. By Manila Standard Today, Brenda Jocson Gaudia, 15 January 2015 Padilla has warned the company it will close down its operations unless real property taxes totaling P91 million, including penalties and charges, will be paid. Since the company started commercial operations in May 2013, it has not remitted tax payments to the province, according to officials. The company mine site is located in Kasibu, the upland town of Nueva Vizcaya near its boundary with Quirino province, which has also demanded tax payments from the company. In August last year, the court denied a motion by Nueva Vizcaya to withdraw the taxes due to the government. Leviste said he has sought a meeting with Padilla to give the court time to decide on the issue and “we assure the government that we have every intention to comply with our obligations. “The company fully understand the importance of the collection of real property taxes as clearly manifested in your motion to withdraw filed with the court . The company did not oppose the motion and left this matter to the decision of the court,” he said. Leviste said the company will continue its programs to help the barangays affected by mining operations such as putting up health centers, providing radio equipment to barangay officials and salary subsidies for public school teachers. Padilla said the company has paid a centavo to the province since it started its commercial operations in 2013 and “they have been hauling thousands of tons of gold ore from the province.” “We have been very patient with OGPI and have considered their predicaments but time is up and we might soon ask them to pack up and leave if they continue to ignore our calls,” she said. SOURCE: manilastandardtoday/2015/01/15/mine-at-a-loss-where-to-pay-taxes/
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 12:18:30 +0000
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