DAVAO CITY (PIA) — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Region XI recorded an 8.46 percent increase in tax collections, amounting to around P1- billion, from January to August 2024, reflecting a steady improvement in collection performance across the Davao region.
Speaking at the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on October 8, 2024, BIR-XI Regional Director Esmeralda Tabule said that from January to August 2024, they had collected around P16.4-billion, much higher compared to P15-billion in the same period in 2023.
The construction sector leads the industries in the region with the highest collection rates, followed by public administration and defense, human health and social work service, admin and support services, other services, real estate activities, education, information and communication technology (ICT), accommodation and food services, and agriculture.
Tabule attributed the consistent growth in tax collections to the continuous and reinforced efforts of the agency to ensure that the taxpaying public in the region fulfills their obligations on tax liabilities while complying with tax laws.
“Sinisiguro po talaga natin [that we utilize] lahat ng avenues na pwede tayong maka-kolekta… and check on the compliance of our taxpayers. May mga tax mapping kaming ginagawa to inform them of their obligations,” she explained.
For instance, Tabule said that all of their Revenue District Offices (RDOs) across the region have already visited 17,194 establishments through their Tax Compliance and Verification Drive (TCVD) to ensure continued compliance among business establishments.
“Makaka-asa po na ang aming agency ay talagang nag-rerender ng services sa ating taxpayers by way of teaching them on how to comply sa kanilang obligasyon,” Tabule added.
(You can rely that our agency is rendering services to taxpayers by teaching to be compliant to their obligation)
Meanwhile, Tabule emphasized that they also have mechanisms put in place to run after delinquent taxpayers, tax evaders, and untaxed articles and excise tax.
For delinquent taxpayers, Tabule said “Meron tayong sistema sa pangongolekta ng mga delinquent accounts; updated na po yan, at marami na tayong nakokolekta, in fact may i-auction na kaming mga properties, ito po mga properties ng mga delinquent taxpayers.”
“Isa po ‘yun sa naging epekto ng pina-igting na kampaya for collection of delinquent accounts,” she added.
(We have a system for collecting delinquent accounts, it is updated and we have collected many, we auctioned properties of delinquent taxpayers. That is the result of an intensified campaign for collection of delinquent accounts.)
As to the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) campaign, BIR XI recorded 55 cases since 2022, five of which were filed this year.
Atty. Monica Delfina Penelope Alvizo, BIR-XI Legal Division chief, said these cases involved individuals and large companies across the region.
She added that some cases they have filed in courts have already rendered positive outcomes, resulting in the closures of non-compliant establishments and the recovery of substantial tax liabilities. There are also cases currently being processed in court.
Regarding their campaign against untaxed articles and excise tax, Tabule said that 19 taxpayers have already faced criminal cases with tax consequences totaling P226-million.
“These concerted efforts reflect the BIR’s commitment to elevating taxpayer experience, enhancing compliance, and contributing to the nation’s fiscal health,” Tabule said. (clc/ASO/PIA XI)
