Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. (PNA file photo)
MANILA – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is targeting to launch an updated logo to mark its 120th anniversary in August.
The current logo features select industries such as manufacturing, telecommunications, agriculture and shipping, which were previously the major taxpayers
The logo has remained unchanged for 120 years or since 1904, BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said.
"I don’t like to see industries in the logo kasi lahat tayo taxpayers. Pinakamalaki is employees pag aggregate, bakit sila wala dyan eh sila bida dyan. (I don't like to see industries in the logo because we are all taxpayers. The biggest [taxpayers are] employees when aggregated, why aren't they there, they are the stars," Lumagui said in a recent interview.
He said the BIR logo does not reflect its mandate of collecting taxes for nationbuilding and upliftment of the lives of Filipinos.
"'Yun ang gusto ko makita sa logo. And gusto ko may integrity and professionalism 'yung logo na hindi ko nakikita. (That's what I want to see in the logo. And I want the logo to have integrity and professionalism, which I don't see now)," he added.
The BIR earlier issued a revenue memorandum circular announcing a contest for the new BIR logo.
The circular said updating the logo aims to "make it more representative of the directions of the current administration, which are geared towards the delivery of excellent taxpayer service through modernization and digitalization of core processes and frontline services."
The submission of entries ended April 19.
The best design will receive PHP100,000 while the first runner-up and second runner-up will receive PHP50,000 and PHP25,000, respectively.
The best entry shall be submitted to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines for evaluation and necessary modification in accordance with the provisions of the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.
The modified logo will then be sent back to the BIR for comments and or approval
The Office of the President will issue the final approval.
"We want to change the image of the BIR. We also want to reflect that there have been many changes in the BIR," Lumagui said. (PNA)
