Wednesday, April 16, 2008 BIR holds regional tax campaign By Raymond C. Garcia
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Central Luzon conducted a Regional Tax Campaign recently at the Plenary Hall of Wow Hilaga, this city.
Dubbed "Itaguyod ang Bayan, Tamang Buwis ay Bayaran," the assembly was participated in by employees of National Government agencies (NGAs), local government units (LGUs), and members from the private sector, professionals and businessmen in the region.
BIR Regional Director Zenaida Garcia commended the taxpayers whose payment of their proper taxes enabled the bureau to meet its goal in tax collection as she also encouraged them to continue paying their taxes promptly to avoid the rush and prevent penalties.
Meanwhile, BIR Commissioner Lilian Hefti disclosed that the tax campaign aims not only to inform people to pay their taxes but also to give recognition to the top corporate and individual tax payers for year 2007 in terms of total tax payments and the top taxpayers from LGUs and NGAs in their region.
She said this is in appreciation of their immeasurable contribution towards the achievement of their revenue target.
Hefti also said that for the year 2008, the BIR is mandated to collect P845 billion which is about 19 percent higher than the P7.15 billion 2007 target.
"Since Central Luzon belongs to BIR Region 4 which a big region, I encourage them to ensure high voluntary compliance during the early part of the year," she said.
For his part, Pampanga third district Representative Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales said taxes are the lifeblood of our nation since funding of various services offered by the government like health services and modern roads and bridges come from our taxes.
Gonzales also mentioned the tax mapping is one of the designed tools to collect taxes properly. He likewise enjoined the participants to pay their taxes correctly to contribute towards the development of our nation.
One of the highlights of the said tax campaign was the symbolic signing of the pledge of support mandated by the BIR to raise the P845 billion for 2008. This was led by Lupo Ramos together with corporation heads and district directors of the BIR.
The highlight of the tax campaign is the distribution of awards and recognitions to the top taxpayers in four categories that include corporate, individual, LGU and NGA.
