Sending this today. The Secretary will be coming home to Dumaguete for Christmas so I coursed it through his sister.
--->
December 21, 2005
Hon. Gary B. Teves
Secretary
Department of Finance
Sir:
Maayong adlaw ug Malipayong Pasko!
I am writing you on behalf of the Philippine Linux Users' Group and other open source advocates in the country. We would like to request exemption from taxes and other associated charges for shipments of Ubuntu Linux media into the country.
Ubuntu is a version of Linux, a popular open source operating system. It is in widespread use among hobbyists, students, universities, and even companies. It is often used as an alternative to the costly and proprietary Microsoft Windows operating system.
Amazingly, it is also available for free. There are no licensing costs and there are no per-server or per-user costs to install and use Ubuntu.
While Ubuntu may be downloaded over the Internet, a large number of Philippine users prefer to get the media kit, consisting of the Ubuntu installation CDs. These CDs are also free: all someone has to do is to order it from the Ubuntu web site. The Ubuntu Foundation takes care of shipping and handling as well. Thus, Filipinos have access to this wonderful piece of technology at practically no cost.
Cost comes into the picture, though, at the post offices
where the customs inspectors valuate the Ubuntu media kits. Unfortunately, there isn't a great deal of
consistency in the valuations: sometimes we are merely charged P30 parcel fee
for the CDs; in some instances, some of us have been charged P2,600. As a result, some people have opted not to
retrieve their media kits and just leave them at the post office for disposal.
It is with this background that I make the request for the
exemption from taxes and other charges for the Ubuntu Linux media kits (and
only for Ubuntu Linux media kits) which ship into the country. Ubuntu Linux has significant impact on cost
savings and technological development for Filipinos; and it is free to begin
with.
We humbly ask your kind office for consideration in this matter. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Dominique Gerald M. Cimafranca
Board Member, Philippine Linux Users' Group
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