Recto secures World Bank’s support on PH gov’t digitalization program to enhance tax administration, among other key areas

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto has kicked off the World Bank-International Monetary Fund (WB-IMF) Spring Meetings this year with a high-level meeting with World Bank Group (WBG) top officials where he secured support for the Philippine government’s digitalization program to enhance tax administration, among other key areas.

During the WBG meeting led by Regional Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific Manuela Ferro, Secretary Recto emphasized the Department of Finance (DOF)’s focus on digitalization to improve tax collection efficiency, especially now that a fourth of Filipino consumers have moved to e-commerce.

The Bank expressed strong support for assisting the DOF on this front, emphasizing that it has currently created a new team in the institution dedicated to providing digital solutions to a variety of development programs, especially to those connected to fiscal areas.

The WBG is looking to expand these digital service solutions to other areas such as education and health.

In addition, Secretary Recto sought technical assistance to support the digitalization of government agencies, especially the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Apart from digitalization, the government also aims to speed up the roll-out of flagship infrastructure projects, including physical connectivity, roads, and bridges, as well as the modernization of airports and seaports.

Meanwhile, the WBG pledged assistance to provide wider access to a reliable power supply in the country, especially in remote areas, as well as to harness renewable energy resources to accelerate the Philippines’ transition to clean energy.

Moreover, the Bank will help the country increase its investments in human capital by supporting early childhood and nutritional programs as well as the upskilling and re-skilling of the workers to boost its labor force.

In addition, it offered support for the country’s agriculture sector to improve productivity and profitability to address food security while reducing emissions through technological practices.

The Bank said the above key priorities outlined by Secretary Recto during the meeting will be aligned and reflected in the new country