CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), through Revenue Region (RR)-16, destroyed 254,260 packs of untaxed cigarette products seized during 31 enforcement operations.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), through Revenue Region (RR)-16, destroys 254,260 packs of illicit cigarettes at the Digama Waste Management Facility in Brgy. Bayabas, Cagayan de Oro, as part of an ongoing crackdown on untaxed goods. Photo: DCC/PIA-10)
The seized products, with an unpaid excise tax of P156.25 million, were disposed of on March 19 at the Digama Waste Management Facility in Brgy. Bayabas, Cagayan de Oro.
“That’s a lot of money that would have gone to the coffers of the government to help in supporting or funding our government needs,” said BIR RR-16 Director Aynie Mandajoyan-Dizon.
Dizon emphasized that the crackdown on illicit cigarettes is a priority program of BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. to curb the illegal trade of excisable goods and improve tax collection.
“This is a continuing effort to discourage or to do away with the trading of illicit cigarettes. Later on, we will be moving on to vape products and other excisable articles wherein no excise taxes have been paid,” she added.
Raihana Menelifa Lucman, OIC assistant chief of RR-16’s Revenue Investigation Division, said the crackdown aims to boost excise tax collection and promote voluntary compliance, while ensuring taxpayers contribute fairly to the economy.
“Alam natin na ang collection of taxes ay napupunta sa mga proyekto ng gobyerno. So ito yung nawawala na collection na dapat sana pwede pang maipondo sa mga projects tulad ng mga school at mga farm to market road. Kung makolekta ang P156 million, mabutang sa BIR ug mabutang sa budget ng gobyerno, dako kaayo na siya nga tabang sa health sector, sa education sector, ug uban pang mga proyekto sa government,” she said.
(We know that tax collection goes to government projects. This is the lost revenue that could have funded projects like schools and farm-to-market roads. If the P156 million is collected, it would go to the BIR and the government’s budget, which would be a significant help to the health sector, education sector, and other government projects.)
Lucman explained that BIR employs various methods, including surveillance and test-buy operations, to identify illicit goods. She stated that when taxpayers resist compliance, the BIR is empowered to confiscate illicit products and, when necessary, file cases for non-compliance with tax laws.
“This enforcement activity sends a clear message that the BIR will not hesitate to take decisive action against those who violate the tax laws,” she said.
Lucman added that the BIR is also working on enhancing its operations through digitalization. She revealed that the digitalization process, which is already underway, will streamline operations, making it more efficient to consolidate reports and expedite actions such as illegal products destruction.
Meanwhile, the BIR continues to urge the public and business sectors to comply with tax obligations, stressing that efficient tax collection is essential for supporting government programs and contributing to the nation’s development. (APB/PIA-10)
