BIR Manila stirs support for “ANGAT PA, PINAS” advocacy, picks up

BIR Manila stirs support for “ANGAT PA, PINAS” advocacy,
picks up tax collection commitments for 2015 Tax Campaign
CITY OF MANILA, 11 February 2015 - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue
Region (RR) No. 6, Manila City today officially launched its 2015 Tax Campaign at the
Palacio de Maynila, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
Led by Regional Director Araceli L. Francisco, the kickoff was attended by top revenue
officials, tax practitioners, professionals, media partners, business, professional and
academic organizations, students, revenue officials, and personnel.
Director Francisco cited the achievements of her region, including the region’s priority
programs and plans for 2015 that will be undertaken to ensure that the assigned
revenue collection target will be achieved by the end of the year. The no-nonsense but
otherwise gregarious director called on all revenue region officials and the various
stakeholders in attendance to support her region’s campaign in line with the BIR’s
“ANGAT PA, PINAS” advocacy. She cited two reasons for the advocacy and the
implementation of the tax agency’s priority programs: 1) The crucial role of revenue
collection in a fastest growing economy that is the Philippines; and 2) Support for
ASEAN integration.
She picked up support/commitment from her revenue district officers and their
respective taxpayers to increase tax collection/payment that will ensure the
attainment of the region’s 2015 collection goal. She even went to the extent of
categorically saying that if the said commitment is fulfilled and there is great
indication that the region’s revenue target will be attained by the end of the year, she
will set aside the implementation of the region’s priority programs and action plans.
The BIR has a collection goal of P1.704 trillion for 2015 compared to P1.456 trillion in
2014. RR No. 6, Manila is tasked to collect P48.1 billion this year.
Commissioner of Internal Revenue Kim S. Jacinto-Henares in her message said she
wants this year’s tax campaign to instill patriotism among Filipinos. She said that “if
we do our share in the form of paying the correct taxes, we will all be part of nationbuilding and in uplifting the lives of our countrymen.”
She likewise stressed the need to understand the reason behind the BIR’s advocacy –
that taxes are contributions to nation-building and that BIR is not simply collecting
taxes but to make the nation stronger and ensure self-sufficiency among the poor. She
warned that those who do not toe the line will be penalized.
Commissioner Henares mentioned that she will be coming out with an issuance to
make those who refuse to file their returns online as first-priority for audit and returns
filed manually will not be accepted.
Lending support to the advocacy of the Commissioner were Deputy Commissioners
Celia C. King and Lilia C. Guillermo.
OIC-Assistant Commissioner Marilou L. del Rosario of the Client Support Service
presented the BIR’s PAC milestones, plans, and rationale of this year’s tax campaign
theme and logo. This year’s tax campaign aptly themed “ANGAT PA, PINAS” calls for
greater cooperation among Filipinos to pay their taxes as their contribution to nationbuilding. The “ANGAT PA, PINAS” advocacy under the Public Awareness Campaign
(PAC) program is part of the Revenue Administration Reform Project (RARP) being
implemented by the BIR with the support of the Millennium Challenge Corporation
(MCC) and the Millennium Challenge Account-Philippines (MCA-P).
This year’s campaign logo takes cues from the colors of the Philippine Flag, using
imagery of arrows that show an upward movement to denote greater progress and
positive change for the country. The campaign jingle is anthemic, providing a battle
cry for Filipinos to work for a better tomorrow.
Early filing of 2014 income tax returns and payment of the taxes due thereon by
taxpayers of the region were shown through an audio-visual presentation. The kickoff
ended with an “ANGAT PA, PINAS” dance number by regional officials and personnel.
Present in the said kickoff were Assistant Commissioners Ma. Rosario Charo E.
Curiba, Zenaida B. Chang, Gealdina E. Reyes and Margaret Mary C. Lauron, Head
Revenue Executive Assistants Myrna E. Sobremonte and Efren D. Martinez, Regional
Directors Gerardo R. Florendo and Conrado C. Lee, PIED Chief Reymarie T. de la Cruz,
Revenue District Officers and Regional Officials. MCA-P Managing Director and CEO
Marivic Añonuevo and MCC Resident Country Director John Polk were also in
attendance. (reytdlc)
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(original signed)
Please refer to: REYMARIE T. DE LA CRUZ, Chief, PIED, 9817251
(original signed)
Approved for Release: MARILOU L. DEL ROSARIO, OIC-ACIR, Client Support Service
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