(Photos by Jumalynne Doctolero/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday commended the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for its diligence to reach the country’s tax revenue targets despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We convey our earnest congratulations to the officials and employees of the BIR who have played key roles in the continued progress and development of the institution in 2022, despite facing the challenges of the pandemic throughout these last two and a half years,” the President said during the BIR’s 2023 Tax Campaign kick-off at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City on Tuesday (Feb. 7).

The President likewise praised the men and women of the bureau for its enthusiasm to deliver its mandate and highlight the critical role that they play in ensuring that the government’s programs and projects are wholly funded and implemented.

BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr, for his part, said that despite the challenges of the last two years, his office was able to collect P2.34 trillion in 2022 because of properly executed programs and digital reforms.

He also noted that despite not feeling the direct effects or benefits, the tax payers have helped a lot in saving lives during the pandemic as the collections were used to purchase the needed COVID-19 vaccines; helped generate quality employment that gives income to local workers; also helped secure the future of the students as they return to face-to-face set up and most of all, helped fund the needed infrastructure projects of the country.

Lumagui is convinced that if the government will be able to provide great service that satisfies the public, especially the taxpayers, this will encourage them to pay the right amount of taxes and on time.

“I believe that if we focus on making our taxpayers happy, satisfied customers, everything else follows. If we provide them with convenience, accessibility, transparency, and fairness, more and more businesses will leave the shadow economy and voluntarily join the tax net,” the Commissioner said.

For his part, Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Benjamin Diokno addressed both taxpayers and BIR officials to do their part in supporting the Philippines’ recovery and growth.

Sec. Diokno urged the revenuers to faithfully, efficiently, and fairly collect taxes to finance the government’s programs and projects.

He encouraged the taxpayers for its full support in mobilizing fiscal resources for the country’s continued recovery and development.

He also proposed taking advantage of the post-pandemic early years, which he said is a critical point in time. The government is set to ramp up spending on infrastructure development, which will create high quality jobs, improve overall productivity, spur new businesses, and improve accessibility for all communities.

The Secretary guaranteed that every cent of taxpayer’s money will be spent for the nation’s betterment and progress.