Speaker Martin Romualdez delivers his speech before the members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday, August 4, 2022. (Photo from Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’ office)
MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Martin Romualdez on Sunday said he will recommend to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to enforce a one-strike policy against Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) collectors who fail to meet their target revenues.
According to Romualdez in a statement, this policy would help ensure additional funds for targeted subsidies, hospitalization, education, job creation, and other programs for the most vulnerable sectors of society.
“I will recommend to President Marcos a one-strike policy against collectors who will miss their target revenues,” Romualdez said.
“The one strike-strike policy is a key step towards achieving our revenue goals. Kailangan natin ang dagdag na pondo para sa mga ayuda, libreng pang-ospital, edukasyon, transportasyon, paglikha ng mga trabaho sa pamamagitan ng infrastructure projects at iba pang mga programa na makakatulong sa taong-bayan,” he added.
(The one strike-strike policy is a key step towards achieving our revenue goals. We need more funds for aid, free hospitals, education, transportation, job creation through infrastructure projects and other programs that will help the people.)
Romualdez explained that collectors not meeting their revenue goals have been compromising the government’s budget for several priorities including agriculture, health, education, and infrastructure.
A solution to this, said Romualdez, is to remove these collectors from their position and be replaced by “competent individuals.”
“Let us help the government meet its revenue targets. I hope our call will send a clear message for our collectors to perform at the highest level,” Speaker Romualdez said.
“Taxes are the lifeblood of government in the implementation of pro-poor programs designed to alleviate poverty and reduce inequality. It is of vital importance in the government’s effort to provide access to better education, healthcare, and social protection programs,” he added.
He then vowed that the House of Representatives will also exercise its oversight function to monitor the performance of various departments and agencies in the implementation of policies and programs under their respective mandates.