BIR union backs new tax agency

The protesting workers’ union at the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) expressed its support yesterday for the proposed creation of the Internal Revenue Management Authority (IRMA) which will replace their agency.

Percival Salazar, president of the BIR Employees Association, conveyed his group’s support for IRMA to Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. of Camarines Sur, chairman of the House appropriations committee.

De Venecia and Andaya are the principal authors of the bill creating the new corporation-type agency that would replace the BIR. IRMA is modeled after the revenue agencies of Singapore and New Zealand.

The two House leaders told Salazar that the proposed creation of IRMA would result in improved tax collection.

For his part, the union leader said their decision to support the proposed revenue authority is their "welcome gift" to new BIR Commissioner Guillermo Parayno.

He said he was convinced about the government’s intention to raise revenues through IRMA and its assurances that there will be no mass layoff of BIR personnel.

Union members started their protests a few days before former Commission Rene Bañez resigned.

Bañez said he had to resign because "inept and corrupt" BIR officials and employees of sabotaging the reforms he introduced in the agency.