Tacloban: The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Eastern Visayas has achieved a significant milestone by collecting PHP40.19 million in taxes from 197 delinquent payers in 2024. This accomplishment marks the region as the top performer among 25 revenue regional offices across the nation in terms of tax arrears collection.
According to Philippines News Agency, BIR Eastern Visayas regional office collection division chief Policarpo Tangile remarked that the region's recognition as the nationwide top performer was due to its substantial surpassing of the PHP9.3 million collection target from tax arrears in 2024. Tax arrears refer to collectible taxes not paid by taxpayers within the prescribed deadline.
The BIR field office achieved this collection feat through the establishment of an accurate inventory and profile of delinquent accounts, coupled with the application of appropriate summary remedies. Tangile emphasized that the high collection from delinquent taxpayers resulted from concerted efforts by BIR personnel, supported by revenue district offices, ensuring diligent monitoring of personnel handling delinquent accounts and holding regular meetings with them.
Tangile further highlighted the importance of stepping up the collection of tax arrears, as unpaid taxes hinder the delivery of government services. The regional office also reported a national tax collection in Eastern Visayas of PHP15.78 billion in 2024, surpassing its PHP15.34 billion goal and exceeding the PHP13.15 billion collected in 2023.
Eastern Visayas ranked fourth among 22 revenue regional offices in terms of tax collection performance last year. The higher revenue collection was supported by several infrastructure projects implemented in the region last year, with at least 53 percent being government projects.
As of the end of 2024, the region had 493,589 taxpayers, with approximately 17,985 classified as non-individual taxpayers, including corporations, partnerships, joint stock companies, joint accounts, associations, or joint ventures.
