Negros Occidental (13 November) -- The implementation of the tough tax reforms through Republic Act 9337 better known as the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT) pay off with Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) exceeding the goal of P52.7 billion.

An increase of P1.4 billion in collection for the first three-quarters of the year puts the government on track to reach its target Revised Value Added Tax (RVAT) collection for year of P75 billion. Since it took effect in November of last year, RVAT generated P52.8 billion.

Based on the report from the Bureau of Internal Revenue Regional Office, their collection reached P2.4 billion from January to September of this year. Although it fell short of its goal, the bureau managed to perform better than the same period last year by P338 million or 13.9 percent.

However, BIR Revenue District No. 76, this province, exceed its goal by P130,362.56 recording a total collection of P57,773,362.56 for October of this year.

Revenue District No. 76 Officer Gil Tabanda attributed the increase in their collection to RVAT, sugar and advance VAT complementing their massive campaign on top taxpayers where they identify top taxpayers and encourage an increase in tax payments. This is also on top of the other efforts to increase their collection like the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) and the Tax Payers Information (TIP).

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in a statement released by Malacañang commends the revenue agencies (BIR and BoC) for a job well done as well as extols the Filipino taxpayers by performing their patriotic duty of paying the right taxes.