Gullas proposes pay hike for tax collection increase

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu 1st District Rep. Eduardo Gullas is proposing to grant employees of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs a salary hike if they can increase tax collection by 15 percent annually.

In his House Bill 6240, Gullas said the BIR and BOC employees should have the chance to get higher pay in exchange for improved tax collection.

“The bill allows the BIR and the BOC officials and employees to qualify for salary adjustments provided their annual increase in actual tax and customs duties collection is not less than 15 percent,” Gullas said.

The lawmaker said the adjustment of personnel services and salaries will depend on the amount of hard collection from the previous year.

The measure will also strengthen the institutional capabilities of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs for effective tax collection, Gullas added.

“It is the policy of the State to reform revenue administration and ensure efficient and effective collection of taxes and duties to meet the government’s financial requirements,” Gullas said.

The bill also provides that two percent of the actual collection of taxes and duties of the previous year will be appropriated to fund the agencies’ maintenance and operating expenses and personnel services, among others.

Also, the compensation package for the two agencies shall be approved by the Department of Finance but the two agencies’ annual collection performance shall be used to determine the adjustment in their compensation package.

The bill also further provides for the creation of a National Revenue Academy, which will handle trainings, continuing education programs and other courses for the two agencies’ officials and personnel.

If the bill will be approved, the officials and personnel are mandated to undergo re-tooling, enhancement seminars and training programs while applicants shall be required to pass the basic courses before they can be hired. — Garry B. Lao/BRP (THE FREEMAN)