BIR falls short Q1 collection target

CEBU, Philippines -  The Bureau of Internal Revenue in Central Visayas remains optimistic to hit its annual target collection this year despite falling short of its revenue collection in the first quarter.

 BIR regional director Rodita Galanta admitted she fell short of her P3.2 billion target in the first quarter having collected only P2.9 billion.

 However, Galanta said she is hopeful that the P14.3 billion target this year will be achieved. According to her, they are already in the process of collating the data from the five revenue districts under her.

 These include the Revenue District Office no. 80 in Mandaue City, RDO-81 in Cebu City North District, RDO-82 in Cebu City South, RDO-83 in Talisay City and RDO-84 in Tagbilaran City.

 “We do not lose hope in our collection. The month of March collection is still ongoing and we will be having our staff conference next week,” Galanta said during the weekly Kapihan sa PIA yesterday morning.

 Galanta said taxes are necessary for government to implement its infrastructure projects and for the Internal Revenue Allotment of the local government units.

 Galanta believes that they will not only meet its collection target but would even surpass it.

 Citing official records, Galanta said the regional office exceeded its P12.421 billion target in 2011 by having able to collect P14.456 billion.

 In 2010 they have also exceeded the P11.4 billion target with the actual collection reaching P12.73 billion.

 Mandaue City revenue office exhibited an exemplary performance in the first quarter by being able to surpass its P1.183 million target. Mandaue City revenue officer Wilfredo Pilapil said they were able to collect P1.186 million in the first quarter.

 Under Mandaue district office are the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Danao and the municipalities of Asturias, Balamban, Bantayan, Bogo, Borbon, Carmen, Catmon, Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova, Daanbantayan, Liloan, Madridejos, Medellin, Pilar, Poro, San Francisco, San Remegio, Sta. Fe, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Tuburan and Tudela.

 Assistant regional director Conrado Lee also reminds taxpayers to file their income tax returns before the annual deadline. Individual and corporate taxpayers are required to submit their annual ITR’s covering their taxable income in 2011, on or before April 16.

Lee also urged taxpayers to pay the correct amount of taxes especially the professionals. —(FREEMAN)