THE Department of Finance (DOF) will form a multisectoral working group to craft digital solutions addressing both tax and non-tax concerns.
In a statement on Wednesday, the DOF said Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto has directed the creation of the group to be led by the department along with private sector partners.
The order came during a dialogue with the Makati Business Club (MBC) on October 14, where the government and industry leaders discussed key policy issues and digital reforms that could streamline business processes and enhance transparency in tax administration.
Recto said the government will review existing tax circulars and identify potential digital solutions to make tax assessment more transparent and efficient for stakeholders.
The Finance chief also assured business leaders that the government is intensifying its digitalization efforts across the board to curb corruption and improve efficiency in public service delivery.
The private sector were also encouraged to participate in accelerating the DOF’s digital transformation program, particularly in the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr).
‘We want to support the government in its quest to make this a very good business environment and investment destination. That’s our overall aim. We’re here to support you,’ MBC Executive Director Rafael Ongpin was quoted in the statement as saying.
‘Whatever support you think we can provide-inputs, technology, we’d be more than happy to do that,’ MBC Chairman Edgar Chua added.
Among the companies present during the meeting were Mondelez Philippines, Unilever, SGV and Co., PepsiCo Philippines, the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham), Texas Instruments and Shopee.
Recto also thanked industry leaders for their collaboration, underscoring the private sector’s critical role in sustaining growth and job creation.
‘The government is only 20 percent or 25 percent of the economy-you’re 75 percent. Today, you have more than 50.1 million people working, with more than 32 million in the private sector,’ he said.
Also present at the meeting were MBC Trustee Cosette Canilao and Australian Embassy in the Philippines Economic Counselor Luke Villiers.
Joining Secretary Recto were DOF Chief of Staff and Undersecretary Maria Luwalhati Dorotan Tiuseco, Privatization and Partnerships Group (PPG) Undersecretary Catherine Fong, Corporate Sector and Strategic Infrastructure Group (CSSIG) Undersecretary Rolando Tungpalan, Revenue Operations Group (ROG) Undersecretary Charlito Mendoza, and ROG Assistant Secretary Euvimil Asuncion.