ILOILO City – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) – Region No. 11 based in this city, has collected P13,335,032,659.46 in taxes from January to September 2024 in Panay Island.
This collection came from more than 261,000 taxpayers, including individual and non-individual taxpayers, business entities, and filers using the Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS).
BIR Region No. 11 has set a tax collection target of P18.516 billion for 2024, a goal higher than the P15.979 billion collected in 2023.
The area covered by BIR Region No. 11 located in Molo district here, include the Revenue District Offices (RDOs) in Kalibo, Aklan (RDO No. 71); Roxas City, Capiz (RDO No. 72); San Jose, Antique (RDO No. 73); Iloilo City and the Province of Guimaras (RDO No. 74); and Zarraga, Iloilo (RDO No. 75).
According to Emilia Corpuz-Combes, officer-in-charge regional director of BIR Region No. 11, the increase in the tax collection goal for 2024 is largely due to the rapid economic growth in Panay Island, particularly in Iloilo City, where continuous development can be observed.
In 2023, out of the total P15.979 billion collected by BIR Region No. 11, Iloilo City accounted for the largest share at 56.43%. This was followed by Kalibo, Aklan (15.62%); Zarraga, Iloilo (10.74%); Roxas City (10.60%); and San Jose, Antique (6.61%).
Lea Lebrilla, the Collection Division chief of BIR Region No. 11, expressed optimism that they will meet this year’s collection target due to the various plans, programs, and strategies implemented by each district office.
These include monitoring all withholding agents and taxpayers, intensifying the campaign against the illicit sale of excisable products (such as cigarettes, vape products, and perfumes), and filing cases against tax evaders through the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program.
“Our RDOs have their respective plans and programs, including strategies. So far, we have been monitoring our agents and implementing campaigns like Run After Tax Evaders and Oplan Kandado,” Lebrilla explained.
Additionally, BIR Region No. 11 has collected P17.7 million from delinquent accounts from January to September 2024, significantly higher than the P10.3 million collected during the same period in 2023.
Meanwhile, BIR Region No. 12 – Bacolod City has set a tax collection goal of P16.079 billion for 2024. As of September 2024, they have collected P11.910 billion from over 237,000 active taxpayers.
BIR Region No. 12 covers the RDOs in Victorias City (RDO No. 76), Bacolod City (RDO No. 77), Binalbagan (RDO No. 78), and Dumaguete (RDO No. 79).
BIR Region No. 12 regional director, Mary Jane B. Asuncion, emphasized that they have strengthened their campaign to encourage tax payments by partnering with various institutions and local government units (LGUs), as well as using social media. Additionally, they recognize top taxpayers to further motivate compliance.
Both BIR Region Nos. 11 and 12 are focused on achieving their 2024 goals by implementing plans centered on four key pillars: digitalization, intensification of enforcement activities, excellence in taxpayer service, and upholding integrity and professionalism./PN
