Posted on 10:25 PM, January 07, 2010 [ BusinessWorld Online ]
A "MORAL RENEWAL" program will be implemented at the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in a bid to enhance the delivery of services to taxpayers.
The program, contained in Revenue Memorandum Order 42-2009 dated Dec. 21, was described as in line with a Palace order directing agencies to develop their own moral renewal frameworks.
"The BIR MRP (moral renewal program) shall be the flagship anti-corruption program of the Bureau. The BIR-MRP is composed of moral and integrity development activities that aim to promote integrity development, good governance, ethical leadership and spiritual deepening among revenuers," the order read.
"The BIR shall formulate an agency-specific Moral Renewal Action Plan, which shall serve as the road map to implement the BIR-MRP."
BIR Commissioner Joel L. Tan-Torres said the program was expected to improve the agency’s services.
"This will make our personnel more taxpayer-oriented and transparent. It will drive them to serve our people better," he said in a phone interview late Wednesday.
It does not mean that corruption and other undesirable practices are rampant in the bureau, he said.
"It is... nothing really extraordinary. They (BIR personnel) are already doing the right thing. The anti-corruption systems are in place but they can be reinforced," Mr. Tan-Torres said.
Private sector representatives interviewed by BusinessWorld welcomed the development and cited the need to simplify existing tax procedures.
"The program will be welcomed by taxpayers. Whether or not it will be successful depends on the actual changes that will be introduced to remove opportunities for corruption," Punongbayan & Araullo managing partner Marivic C. Espano said.
Makati Business Club Executive Director Alberto A. Lim said the BIR should ensure transparency to avoid bribery and address tax evasion.
"If the processes are transparent, it will be harder to cheat on the payment of taxes," he said in Filipino.
The BIR said its moral renewal action plan would consist of activities promoting Filipino values.
A "moral and spiritual session" with "renowned speakers" will be conducted for top revenue officials during semestral command conferences. Separate seminars will be conducted for subordinates.
The BIR also plans to come up with a "Citizen’s Charter" embodying its service standards, plus an "integrity development review." Assessors from agencies such as the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission and the Office of the Ombudsman as well as civil society groups will be tapped.
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