BIR chief implements major revamp

MANILA, Philippines - Newly appointed Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Joel Tan-Torres has implemented a major revamp within the agency hoping that it would result in more efficient tax collection.

The BIR, the government’s main revenue earner, has drawn flak for perennially failing to meet collection targets. The agency has cited the difficult economic tide as the major reason for its shortfalls but authorities also conceded that rampant corruption inside has also largely contributed to the problem.

“It’s a massive reshuffle to infuse new ideas. The performers are given more responsible positions while the less responsible performers and given lower goals,” Tan-Torres said.

In a reorganization order issued on December 14, Tan-Torres reshuffled 57 officials of the BIR including revenue district officers, assistant revenue district officers, regional directors, assistant regional directors, technical assistants, lawyers and assistant commissioners.

There are at least 11,000 BIR employees scattered around the agency’s main office and in 124 regional district offices nationwide.

The reshuffle takes effect in January next year, Tan-Torres said.

Tan-Torres ordered the revamp after a one-year review of the performance of the affected personnel. He said the reassignment does not necessarily mean that the officers concerned were delinquent in their respective duties.

However, he conceded that the revamp is aimed at improving the overall performance of the BIR.

The BIR expects to collect only P742 billion this year, P56 billion lower than the revised full-year target of P798 billion because of the impact of the global financial crisis, low import volume and typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng which dampened economic activities.

From January to October, the BIR collected only P612 billion, down by 5.1 percent compared to last year.

In October alone, the BIR collected only P54.9 billion, lower by 3.6 percent compared to the same month last year.

For next year, the BIR has a collection target of P875.1 billion.

The revamp follows a similar order issued by former BIR Commissioner Sixto Esquivias IV last March.

Tan-Torres said the new assignments may last for a year after which another revamp may take place.