Correction over collection

Secretary Ralph Recto has reportedly “ordered” the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs to work together in order to achieve the revenue collection target of P4 trillion-plus for 2024.

This combined effort or teamwork between the BIR and the BOC reminds me of the two-man teams running in a three-legged race where the runners are tied to each other on one leg. But to make things worse, one of the runners has so much baggage on his back.

As far as public impressions go, the BIR certainly enjoys an advantage over the BOC. Through the years, the BIR has simplified its system, even setting up fast lanes for registry, invested in computerization and digitalization and made efforts to educate the public regarding their role and duty to pay taxes. Best of all, the BIR has worked with Congress towards passing laws to reform outdated and burdensome tax rates, particularly for estate taxes, etc. As a result, people and businesses are now more willing to file and pay their tax obligations.

By listening and responding to taxpayers’ complaints, the BIR has even reduced the “fear,” mistrust and contempt traditionally held by the general public towards them. But in the case of the Bureau of Customs, to this day, I constantly hear complaints about corruption, intentional delays in order to solicit or extort grease money, especially from businesses that have time-sensitive importations.

Twice in one month, just before the Christmas holidays, I heard business owners declare that they will no longer engage in businesses that require importation of products or materials because of the shameless extortions that they experience at the BOC. Other individuals have told me that if the country is suffering from food inflation and high retail prices, it is because importers and sellers have to “pass-on” the cost of doing illegal business with corrupt people at the BOC.

This is the correction part I was referring to in today’s title, “Correction over collection.” Secretary-congressman Ralph Recto must make the necessary organizational correction at the Bureau of Customs if he really wants to hit revenue targets. It is not just a matter of collecting duties and taxes, the DOF