The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) reported collecting PHP13.1 billion in taxes from January to August this year across its district offices in Northern Mindanao, marking a 12.3 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. BIR Revenue Region 16 Assistant Director Helen Abellanosa, speaking during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum Tuesday, attributed the growth mainly to voluntary tax compliance, particularly from commercial entities. "We will resort to enforcement activities if we see that voluntary compliance is not improving," Abellanosa warned. BIR-Region 16 encompasses six Revenue District Offices -- Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City, Gingoog City, Malaybalay City, Ozamiz City and Marawi City. Additionally, the region collected PHP15.4 million worth of contraband items, including 152,000 packs of cigarettes and 752 vapor product pods. Abellanosa said the BIR is also pushing towards digital transformation to streamline tax payments through online platforms. Source: Philippines News Ag ency