P258.6 million released for transparency, integrity program of BOC, BIR

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P258.6 million to the country’s top two revenue agencies as a counterpart fund for a US-supported project promoting transparency and integrity in tax collection.

DBM said P105.49 million went to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the balance to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). The amount represents the Philippine equity in a Washington grant under the Millennium Challenge Account Threshold Program (MCATP) that aims "to promote good governance practices in the two offices."

Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said yesterday that based on the terms of the MCATP agreement, the Philippines should raise up to P1 billion to match the aid coming from the US government under the program initiated by the Bush administration.

Based on a DBM briefing document, MCATP’s aims are consistent with the Arroyo administration’s six-year (2004-2010) Medium Term Philippine Development Plan.

Under the program, government will step up anti-corruption efforts, plug revenue leaks, increase tax collection, and ultimately channel more resources to poverty reduction programs in healthcare, education, and social services. – Paolo Romero