Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. led the agency in commemorating its 121st founding anniversary by paying tribute to the people behind the Bureau’s growing impact and performance.
On a post in his official Facebook page, Lumagui said “what we’re really celebrating is not just 121 years of service — but the people who have given this Bureau its strength, day in and day out.”
The BIR posted strong growth in tax collections over the past year, with revenues rising by 13.29% in 2024 to ₱2.852 trillion.
“Sa loob ng 121 taon, patuloy ang BIR sa pagharap sa hamon ng pagbabago, mas mataas na koleksyon, mas mahusay na serbisyo, at mas matatag na tiwala ng publiko,” added the BIR chief.
The lawyer emphasized that the anniversary is a reminder of the BIR’s renewed commitment to nation-building, anchored not only on hitting revenue targets but on upholding the values of public service.
“Ang Bagong BIR ay hindi lang tungkol sa target. Ito’y tungkol sa karangalan sa serbisyo at sa paninindigang maglingkod ng tama, araw-araw. Maraming salamat sa mga lingkod-bayan ng BIR!”
Lumagui also recognized BIR personnel as the foundation of the agency’s reforms, and said that “pinararangalan natin ang mga lingkod-bayan na patuloy na nagsisilbing haligi ng ahensya, tahimik mang kumikilos, ngunit buong puso at may integridad sa pagtupad ng tungkulin.”
Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto for his part lauded the tireless work of the BIR and stressed the critical role the agency plays in fulfilling the government’s social contract with the Filipino people.
“I stand proudly with you. Without your thankless and tireless labor, the government will not be able to redeem its promises to the people, and the nation will not be able to realize its dreams,” Recto said in his anniversary message.
Secretary Recto also pointed out that all government services—from education and healthcare to infrastructure and disaster response—are ultimately funded by the taxes the BIR collects.
“Kaya’t taus-puso ang aming pasasalamat sa inyong lahat, sa bawat oras at patak ng pawis na inyong inaalay upang ang bansa natin ay patuloy na umusad. Sa bawat pisong inyong nalilikom, nakaukit ang pag-asa at pangarap ng sambayanang Pilipino,” said the cabinet official.
The BIR posted strong growth in tax collections over the past year, with revenues rising by 13.29% in 2024 to ₱2.852 trillion.
For the first half of 2025, collections continued to grow by 14.11%, reaching ₱1.55 trillion from January to June. On average, the BIR must collect ₱8.6 billion per day to support the national government’s daily spending requirement of ₱17.4 billion.
