The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) 1 (Ilocos Region) collected about PHP17.41 billion in the first nine months of the year, 4.5 percent higher than its PHP16.9 billion goal for the period. During a Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum live-streamed on Tuesday, BIR-1 Director Josephine Virtucio, said they exceeded their target collection from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30 by PHP751.76 million. Top industries that boosted BIR's collection include those involved in trading, power production and distribution, construction, and health institutions, she said. For the full year, the regional bureau has a PHP22.4 billion target. Virtucio said strategies such as improving taxpayer services and being observant, transparent, and accountable help in their collection. 'It also helps that we are ISO-certified because of standardized processes, uniformity, and consistency. We remind our people of our duties and responsibilities," she said. In 2023, the regional office's collection amounted to PHP19.33 billion. To boost collecti on efficiency, Virtucio said, they continue to strengthen the information and education drives, as well as the enforcement of such programs as the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE), Oplan Kandado (Oplan Padlock), and tax mapping. For the RATE program, the bureau filed 108 cases from 2022 to Sept. 30 this year. Specifically, 21 cases were filed in 2022; 69 in 2023; and 18 since January this year. Source: Philippines News Agency