ILIGAN CITY (PIA) — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue District Office (RDO) No. 101 recognized the top taxpayers in this city and Lanao del Norte for 2024 as part of the tax awareness campaign launched by BIR with the theme “Buwis na Tapat, Tagumpay Nating Lahat.”
This year’s campaign emphasizes the vital role of taxpayers in driving economic recovery and progress through accurate and timely tax payments. Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 486, Series 2024, February has been declared Tax Awareness Month.
OIC-Revenue District Officer Malik Dimakuta emphasized that BIR conducts this annual tax campaign to educate taxpayers about the importance of filing their Income Tax Returns (ITR) before the April 15, 2025 deadline to avoid penalties.
“Nangangampanya ang BIR upang magampanan ang tungkulin nitong makakolekta ng buwis para sa bansang Pilipinas at sa kaunlaran nito. Alam natin kung sino ang dapat tumulong sa Pilipinas, tayo mismo, mga Pilipino,” he said.
(The BIR is campaigning to fulfill its duty of collecting taxes for the Philippines and its development. We know who should help the country: us, the Filipino people.)
The top contributors in the local government unit category include the Iligan City government, the provincial government of Lanao del Norte, and the municipality of Kapatagan, respectively.
In the National Government Agency category, the Department of Education-Division of Lanao del Norte, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, and the Department of Public Works and Highways 1st Lanao del Norte District Engineering Office emerged as the top taxpayers, respectively.
Among corporations, Mamsar Construction and Industrial Corporation, Adventist Medical Center Iligan City, Inc., and Powersource Philippines Energy Inc. were the top contributors in the corporate category.
Iligan City Administrator Darwin Manubag expressed gratitude on behalf of Iligan City Mayor Frederick Siao and underscored the importance of cooperation in nation-building and encouraged stakeholders to fulfill their tax obligations promptly.
“The BIR is our partner in nation-building. In other words, the challenge for all of us is to make sure that we cooperate, contribute, and fulfill our obligations as citizens by paying our taxes as soon as possible. We need to meet the deadline, and as we do it, we are also fulfilling the mandate as citizens of the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, Vice Gov. Allan Lim of Lanao del Norte urged taxpayers, whether individuals or businesses, to take their responsibilities seriously and seek guidance on tax compliance.
“As we gather here, let us remember that taxes are not merely obligations; they are investments in our communities and our future,” he said.
On the other hand, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation of Iligan, Inc. President Reggie Punongbayan highlighted the strong collaboration between the business sector and BIR in promoting economic growth through responsible taxation.
“We believe that businesses thrive in environments of trust and accountability. Paying the correct taxes is not just an obligation; it is an investment in our future. Because I believe that a well-funded government can implement programs that uplift both businesses and communities, creating a cycle of prosperity,” she said.
BIR is also strengthening its digitalization initiatives to streamline tax services. These include the e-Services platform, where taxpayers can conveniently secure their taxpayer identification number and ID, and an electronic certificate authorizing registration for real estate transactions. BIR offices have also enhanced their e-Lounges to assist taxpayers, particularly those who do not have access to computers at home. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
