BIR RDO-92 kicks-off 2012 tax campaign

by Claro A. Lanipa

Pagadian City, Mar 8 (PIA) –  The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue District No. 92 on Thursday, March 8, 2012 kicked-off its 2012 tax campaign  held at the Liga City Convention Center, this city bearing the theme “I love Philippines, I pay taxes.”

OIC Revenue District Officer Atty. Nasrollah Conding in his welcome message, was so thankful to the support and cooperation of all the stakeholders in the city and province of Zamboanga del Sur for making RDO-92 as the region’s No. 1 top performer in tax collection by exceeding the January 2012 target goal by more than 75 percent.

Once again, we are here to renew our enduring commitment and spirit, that is to preserve the funds of the government. “Taxes is the lifeblood of the government, without taxes the government will be paralyzed,” Conding said.

BIR Assistant Regional Director Wilma Elivera who was the guest of honor, explained the meaning of this year’s theme “I love Philippines, I pay taxes.” The  theme captures the essence of the BIR’s important role in governance. It shows the undying patriotism and portray’s  BIR’s position as a partner of governance in nation building. It enkindles the importance of collection and paying taxes as an expression of love for the country and not merely as a duty or obligation, Elivera said.

She further explained, that the word “love” is in a shape of a heart, which symbolizes fervent hope and dreams of every Filipinos of our country for a better future and a better life for all of us.

“We pay taxes because we care and we love our country and the future generations” ARD Elivera exhorted. Paying the correct tax is a noble act of concern and love for ourselves, our children and our country, she added.

Elivera disclosed that this year, the entire Zamboanga Peninsula region was given a target goal of P3.744 billion which is 50 percent more over  last year’s actual collection. For your district maybe it is not a big challenge, but for the region it is too heavy for us to achieve this goal.

With this, ARD Elivera appealed each and every tax payers to help their institution by loving our country, the Philippines. “You can give without loving, but you can not love without giving,” she said.

BIR now focuses on the word love and no more fear – or course love is better than fear. Love bears not only in your heart, but also in your conscience. As the bible says “love brings forth obedience,”  which means obedience  to the laws and regulations that we should comply, Elivera concluded.

During the launching, a signing of commitment of support to the campaign was made by the different stakeholders headed by Governor Antonio Cerilles, Congressmen  Victor Yu and Aurora Cerilles of the 1^st and 2^nd districts, Mayor Samuel Co, concerned government agencies and organizations.

After the program, a motorcade around the city’s major streets followed, participated by the different stakeholders. (PIA9/CAL)