ILOILO CITY, March 14 -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will collect PHP19.6 billion in taxes from Panay and Guimaras taxpayers this year.

"This year 2024, we are tasked to collect PHP19.6 billion or 23 percent higher than our actual collection for the year 2023. This is one of the highest growth rates for the past 10 years in the Bureau of Internal Revenue. The goal seems huge, but I remain confident that it is achievable," BIR Region 11 director Joseph Catapia said during the 2024 tax campaign kick-off led by the Revenue District Office 74 at the Iloilo Convention Center on Thursday.

BIR Region 11 covers the provinces of Capiz, Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, and Guimaras.

In his message, Catapia identified several factors, including t...