BIR-13 struggles with lack of manpower

CEBU, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)-Region 13 has claimed it continues to face manpower problem which is apparently affecting its performance.

BIR-13 Director Hermeno Palamine said the agency is supposed to have 700 staff, as suggested by its plantilla, but it only has 428 workers as of now. Over 100 of them are assigned to the Large Taxpayers Division, Excise Division and other offices.

So it may turn out that only around 300 are actually working for the revenue region.

"We are now operating at less than 50% of our workforce," Palamine said.

But the official clarified that manpower woes do not only happen in BIR-13 but are also being experienced in other BIR offices nationwide.

Lawyer Neri Yu, Legal Division chief, said the bureau continues to conduct examination for hiring of employees.

Amid the lack of manpower, Palamine noted the local bureau would continue to intensify its collection efforts such as tax mapping and its run after tax evaders (RATE) program.

The regional tax chief said he has constantly issued mission orders for tax mapping activities in certain areas in Cebu.

He said his office would continue to look after tax evaders especially professionals who are suspected for not paying the right taxes.

Warning professionals against tax evasion, he mentioned the case of Philippine Medical Association (PMA) President Leo Olarte who was slapped with tax evasion rap last year because of not paying correct taxes.

He, however, commended Cebu-based professionals who he described as "cooperative".

Local revenue officials said they would continue to send letters to professionals who are "low-compliant" to request them to settle their obligations.

They said there's a monitoring team tasked to identify non-compliant professionals and other taxpayers.

This year, BIR-13, which covers north and south Cebu, Mandaue City, Talisay City and Tagbilaran City, Bohol, is tasked to rake in P25.4 billion in taxes.

It collected P11.6 billion in the first six months of this year, up 8% compared to P10.7 billion it collected last year.

The BIR is the state's main revenue generating agency, accounting for about 70% of total revenues.