BIR-ILOCOS – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) 1:LOCOS – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) 1, covering the Ilocos Region, reported a substantial achievement in its revenue collection for the first nine months of the year, surpassing its target by 4.5%. According to the data released, the regional tax bureau gathered approximately PHP17.41 billion, exceeding the goal of PHP16.9 billion set for the period.
According to Philippines News Agency, the announcement was made during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum, which was live-streamed this Tuesday. Josephine Virtucio, the Director of BIR-1, highlighted that the collection success was largely due to robust performances in trading, power production and distribution, construction, and health institutions. These sectors significantly contributed to the regional office’s ability to exceed its collection target by PHP751.76 million from January 1 to September 30.
Virtucio also shared insights into the strategies that have contributed to their success, emph
asizing improvements in taxpayer services and the importance of being observant, transparent, and accountable. “It also helps that we are ISO-certified because of standardized processes, uniformity, and consistency. We remind our people of our duties and responsibilities,” Virtucio stated.
Furthermore, the regional director discussed ongoing efforts to enhance collection efficiency. These include strengthening information and education drives and enforcing programs like the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE), Oplan Kandado (Oplan Padlock), and tax mapping. She revealed that under the RATE program, the bureau has filed a total of 108 cases from 2022 up to September 30, 2023. Specifically, 21 cases were filed in 2022, 69 in 2023, and 18 since the beginning of this year.
For the full fiscal year, BIR-1 has set a collection target of PHP22.4 billion. In 2023, the regional office’s collection already amounted to PHP19.33 billion, indicating a positive trajectory towards achieving or possibly exceeding this annual goal
.