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Apo Agua supplies water in Davao

DAVAO CITY — Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. (AAII) has commenced supplying water to the Davao City Water District (DCWD) and is now in the fine-tuning stage of interfacing activities for the over P13-billion Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP) since last month.

“The construction and commissioning of Apo Agua’s critical facilities have been completed since December 2023,” said AAII external relations officer May Che Capili, who made the announcement on Tuesday before the City Council when she gave updates on Part A of the project.

According to the announcement, Apo Agua — which is the water business unit and subsidiary Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) — has been supplying bulk water to its Calinan, Tugbok, Riverside, Dumoy, Cabantian, and Panacan water supply systems (WSS) since Dec. 1.

In a joint statement, Apo Agua and DCWD said that prior to distribution they have verified that the water quality meets the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water.

Apo Agua, which is the builder of the state-of-the-art bulk water facility that includes a 300 million liter per day (MLD) water treatment plant with a 70-kilometer pipeline, also guarantees sustainable delivery of quality bulk water supply to six DCWD water supply systems.

Part A of the project involves Apo Agua’s construction of raw water intake facilities, a hydroelectric power plant, a water treatment plant, and a treated water pipeline, while Part B is for DCWD’s undertaking that involves the construction of facilities for various off-take points, primary transmission and distribution pipe mains and storage facilities, and the distribution of treated water to residential, governmental, commercial, industrial, and water end-users.

DCWD spokesperson Jovana Cresta T. Duhaylungsod said the distribution is still a part of the ongoing preparations and interfacing activity of both Parts A and B.

Starting Jan. 1, 2024, the DCWD has been accepting new service connection applications in more areas, particularly in: all areas in Panacan WSS — Sasa, Panacan, Ilang, Tibungco, Bunawan, and Lasang; all areas in Cabantian WSS — Cabantian, Communal, and Indangan; and most of Dumoy WSS — Sasa, Pampanga, Lanang, Bajada, Buhangin, Indangan, Mandug, Agdao, and downtown proper. — Maya M. Padillo

Customs seizes P7.5-M ‘shabu’

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE BUREAU of Customs (BoC) announced on Wednesday that it intercepted an illegal shipment of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” valued at P7.507 million just before being exported to New Zealand last Jan. 3.

“The export shipment originating from Parañaque City was initially tagged as suspicious by X-ray Inspection Project personnel. It immediately underwent K9 sniffing and physical examination, which resulted in the discovery of three packs of white crystalline substances weighing 1,104 grams concealed inside a shaft drive,” the BoC said in a statement.

Meanwhile in Mindanao, anti-narcotics agents seized another P6.8 million worth of “shabu” in an entrapment of a dealer only known as “Dhats,” in Barangay Tapayan, Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao del Norte.

Gil Cesario P. Castro, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, revealed that Dhats managed to elude arrest when his companions engaged the agents in a shootout. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson and John Felix M. Unson

House leader calls on senators to reconsider Charter change

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

A LEADER of the House of Representatives called on senators on Wednesday to support the call of business groups for changes to the 1987 Constitution, citing necessary amendments in order to create more jobs.

“We can accelerate capital formation and hasten our economic growth for the benefit of our people if we can introduce constitutional reform,” House Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio D. Gonzales, Jr. said in a statement.

Mr. Gonzales said amending the Charter would help in further decreasing the number of jobless Filipinos, which had already gone down to 1.83 million in November 2023 from 2.09 million in the previous month, according to the latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report.

“This means that there were an additional 260,000 of our labor force who got themselves employed in jobs created in the economy through investments. We could create more job and income opportunities for our people if we could attract more investments, especially funds from foreign investors,” he said.

Last year, the House passed Resolution of Both Houses No. 6, seeking to amend the Constitution through a constitutional convention. The measure only reached the Senate committee level, with many senators deeming the proposal unnecessary.

In December, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez revived proposal to amend the 1987 Constitution to ease economic restrictions.

Senator Robinhood C. Padilla, who heads the Senate constitutional amendments and revision of codes committee, said any calls to revise the Constitution should come from the public.

“We must discuss people’s initiative thoroughly. Such a power of the people should not be twisted by some politicians to suit their ambitions,” Mr. Padilla said in a statement.

Meanwhile, House Deputy Minority Leader and Party-list Rep. France L. Castro sounded the alarm over a particular television advertisement allegedly promoting Charter change.

“We are now mulling to file a House resolution to probe the funding used for the pro-Charter change ad now running on television,” she said in a statement.

For his part, Interior Secretary Benjamin D. Abalos, Jr. told DzBB radio that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is not participating in any signature campaign supporting Charter change.

Earlier, Albay Rep. Edcel C. Lagman said municipal mayors were allegedly asked to give P100 to every constituent who signs up a petition to amend the 1987 Charter through a people’s initiative. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

PHL-Indonesia deal may cushion coal, gas shocks

REUTERS

THE PHILIPPINES and Indonesia signed an energy collaboration deal designed to smooth out any supply disruptions in critical fuels like coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Philippine Department of Energy and Indonesian Ministry of Energy, which was witnessed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and visiting Indonesian President Joko Widodo. It updates the long-term energy cooperation arrangements between the two countries, Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said in a statement.

“On the part of the Philippines, it is an offshoot of our President’s efforts to achieve higher energy security through energy diplomacy,” he said.

Under the MoU, the two countries will collaborate via their respective business sectors “during periods of critical supply constraints on energy commodities such as coal and liquefied natural gas,” Mr. Lotilla said.

He said bilateral agreements on energy should consider the increasing role of the private sector in the two countries’ energy sectors, noting that previous deals “reflected the dominance of state-owned companies in the power sector in the Philippines and the upstream sector including coal mining in Indonesia.”

The Philippines has been a key market for Indonesian coal, which accounted for 98% of Philippine coal imports in 2022, “consistently increasing from 88% in 2017,” Mr. Lotilla said.

He noted that a coal export ban imposed by Indonesia in January last year following the failure of its coal mines to provide adequate supply for domestic power plants and markets pushed coal prices higher.

“This forced countries like the Philippines to scramble for alternative sources of coal and caused coal prices to spike,” he said. “The Philippines imported more than 80% of its coal requirements in 2023 and even more than 90% in previous years.”

“Since then, the Philippines exerted diplomatic efforts to ensure a steady flow of coal supply from Indonesia,” he added.

Mr. Lotilla said the two countries remain highly dependent on coal-fired power plants and that their transition to cleaner technologies should not affect their energy stability.

Indonesia and the Philippines, respectively, are second and third globally in terms of installed capacity of geothermal generation plants, he noted.

“Transitioning to clean energy to achieve energy security goals would require a transition fuel capable of providing baseload generation that would fill in the gap when existing coal-fired power plants start to retire,” he said.

“Natural gas, including LNG, is a suitable transition fuel where the private sector investments in this technology will be facilitated to address the variability of renewable energy capacity additions and ensure the reliability and security of the power system,” he added.

“The two countries are major sources of minerals needed for the energy transition and have vast potential for solar, wind and ocean energy production.”

Philippine energy security has emerged as a critical issue as the Malampaya gas field approaches commercial depletion. Malampaya is the Philippines’ only indigenous commercial source of natural gas.

The loss of Malampaya output could result in 12 to 15-hour rotational brownouts across Luzon.

“This is a strategic collaboration especially since the Philippines imports more than 90% of its coal requirements from Indonesia. The LNG cooperation will also help the Philippines address its supply requirements since Malampaya gas reserves continue to deplete,” according to Jose M. Layug, Jr., president of Developers of Renewable Energy Advancement, Inc.

The agreement “speaks well of the Marcos administration’s forward-looking approach towards long-term energy sustainability,” he said in a Viber message.

Bienvenido S. Oplas, Jr., president of think tank Minimal Government Thinkers, noted that sharing of knowledge and technology in gas exploration and development between the two countries could be leveraged into a long-term partnership.

“Indonesia is not so much a gas exporter, Brunei is. But it’s good to mention that in the MoU because Indonesia’s gas potential reserves may not have been tapped yet; neither have those of the Philippines’,” he said in a Viber message.

Mr. Oplas said the deal also signals the continuation of the Philippines’ reliance on coal, which he said will remain a significant source of energy for many countries “because it’s abundant, cheap and easy to transport and store, and can provide dependable, reliable, 24/7 electricity except during maintenance shutdowns.”

“The so-called transition away from coal did not happen in Germany, did not happen in many other ‘decarbonizing’ countries,” he said, noting that coal accounted for 62% of Indonesia’s electricity generation in 2022.

Indonesia is a major coal exporter and the Philippines generated about 60% of total electricity from coal-fired plants in 2022 and 2023, he said.

Indonesian Energy Minister Arifin Tasrif assured the Philippines of “continued and uninterrupted coal supply from Indonesia” in a bilateral meeting with Mr. Lotilla during the Asia Zero Emission Community Ministers’ Meeting in Tokyo in March 2023 and the 41st ASEAN Energy Ministers Meeting in August 2023 held in Bali. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Budget, infra constraints expected to hinder DA food stockpile plan

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE lack of storage infrastructure and funding may pose challenges as the Department of Agriculture (DA) gears up to stockpile agricultural commodities in response to possible shortages, analysts said.

Roy S. Kempis, a retired Pampanga State Agricultural University professor, said in a Viber message that infrastructure like shared community facilities, equipment, and farm-to-market roads will be a challenge if the government plans to build up reserves of agricultural products.

On Monday, the DA said that it is drafting the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Section 9 of the Price Act.

Section 9 of the law authorizes the allocation of funding for the procurement, purchase, import, or stockpiling of basic necessities or prime commodities, and determine ways to distribute these items during shortages or in the event of a need to influence market prices.

Philippine Institute for Development Studies Senior Research Fellow Roehlano M. Briones said that the DA would need the spending capacity to continue stockpiling commodities like rice if it is to move market prices significantly.

“The big problem is the cost of the rice stockpile; we’ll need a much larger budget if we want to have a stockpile large enough to stabilize prices,” Mr. Briones said in a Viber message.

The National Food Authority (NFA) is authorized to purchase domestically grown rice and hold it in reserve in the event of shortages or calamities, as outlined in the Rice Tariffication Law of 2019 (Republic Act No. 11203).

Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc., President Danilo V. Fausto said NFA warehouses, which are typically used for rice storage, should also be configured to store prime commodities like high-value crops.

“It is not just funding that they need, but storage as well. I recommend the use of NFA facilities for storage,” Mr. Fausto said by telephone.

A technical working group created by the DA will consult with consumer groups and collaborate with the Department of Trade and Industry and other government agencies to develop the IRR.

Under the Price Act, the DA has the power to monitor the prices of crops, fish and other marine products, fresh meat, fresh poultry, dairy products, fertilizer and other farm inputs during emergencies.

Mr. Fausto listed products like high-value crops, meat, fish, and dairy as candidates for stockpiling.

“All seasonal commodities should (also be stockpiled,” he said.

“Due to seasonality, there are times when products like high-value crops have price surges when there is insufficient supply,” he added. — Adrian H. Halili

Philippines’ 2024 GDP growth may fall short of gov’t target — BPI

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

BANK of the Philippine Islands (BPI) expects gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 6.2% this year, short of the official government target.

“While significant uncertainties remain, the country may maintain its position as one of the fastest-growing economies in the region with a full year growth rate of 6.2% in 2024,” BPI said in a statement.

BPI’s forecast is below the government’s 6.5-7.5% target range for GDP growth this year.

GDP growth accelerated to 5.9% in the third quarter, bringing the nine-month average to 5.5%, still below the government’s 6-7% full-year target.

“With the anticipated easing of 2024 inflation, consumer spending may recover in 2024,” BPI said.

The bank sees headline inflation averaging 3.7% this year, within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 2-4% target, but cited upside risks like El Niño, which may reduce food harvests and send prices higher.

Inflation is expected to rise again in the second quarter, breaching 4%, before settling within the BSP’s 2-4% target range in the second half.

Inflation slowed to 3.9% in December, settling within the central bank’s 2-4% target for the first time in nearly two years, and easing from 4.1% in November and 8.1% a year earlier. This also was the lowest reading in 22 months or since the 3% posted in February 2022.

Inflation averaged 6% for 2023 from 5.8% in 2022, marking the second straight year of inflation breaching the BSP’s 2-4% target.

BPI sees investment spending ramping up this year, driven by the construction sector and with companies becoming more aggressive in capital expenditures on the expectation that interest rates have peaked. 

“Public construction will continue to be a major driver of capital spending as the government ramps up its infrastructure program, including the implementation of its Build, Better, More (BBM) projects,” BPI said.

BPI sees the BSP keeping rates steady until the second half until inflation is firmly within the central bank’s target, before mirroring the Federal Reserve’s easing cycle.

“So far, Fed officials have signaled the possibility of rate cuts amounting to 75 bps (basis points) in 2024. We also expect a 75-bp cut from the BSP this year, which will bring the policy rate to 5.75% by end-2024,” BPI said. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

Makati weighing real property tax cut to draw in more businesses

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter

MAKATI CITY is considering reductions to its real property tax and other local taxes to attract more businesses to the city.

“To our partners in the business community, your steadfast support has been integral to our city’s growth. In recognition of this, I have ordered a comprehensive review on the possibility of lowering the real property tax and other local taxes,” Makati Mayor Marlen Abigail Binay-Campos said in her speech during the 8th State of the City Address at Rotary Club of Makati on Wednesday.

She said lowering taxes would make it easier for businesses to operate, in turn boosting the city’s economic performance.

Makati City collected P24.8 billion in revenue in December, most of it generated by businesses.

Collections included P12.49 billion in business tax and P8.69 billion in real property tax.

“With our collective effort, Makati will continue its legacy as a dynamic and thriving city, leading the way in economic resilience, technological advancement and sustainable urban living,” Ms. Binay said.

On Jan. 5, the city removed the 10 enlisted men’s barrios or “Embo” villages from its books after the resolution of a territorial dispute with Taguig City. The loss of population translates to reduced revenue and allocation for national taxes.

Makati also removed subsidies to the Embo villages, which Ms. Binay said would save the city P7.9 billion this year.

Taguig City had claimed the Embo villages as being part of the Fort Bonifacio district.

The Supreme Court had ruled with finality on the case in April last year, upholding Taguig’s ownership of the 729-hectare Bonifacio Global City Complex and several adjoining neighborhoods.

In December, Makati suspended the collection of amusement tax for performers in public places to boost tourism and to help fund the creative industry.

Export growth of 40% needed to meet targets set in PEDP

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Reporter

EXPORTS will need to grow 40% this year to be able to hit the $143.4-billion target set for 2024 in the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2023-2028, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“For us to be able to catch up with our PEDP targets, we need to grow by about 40% this year … because we did not meet the target for 2023,” according to Bianca Pearl R. Sykimte, director of the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau.

Ms. Sykimte said that the DTI is only projecting at least 10% export growth this year.

“Based on market projections … We expect about 10% growth (in 2024). So definitely, we will try to achieve more than 10% for export growth but to be able to catch up with the PEDP target of around $140 billion, we need to grow by 40%,” she added.

“It might be hard, but we really need to attract investment to build our domestic capacity. Again, 60% of our exports are electronics, and if you look at that sector it really is investment-driven,” she added.

Merchandise and services exports in 2023 under the PEDP were set a target of $126.8 billion. The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) projected goods exports to decline 4% in 2023.

For 2024, the DBCC projected goods exports to grow 5%, and then by 6% annually between 2025 and 2028.

Preliminary estimates by the Philippine Statistics Authority indicate that merchandise exports in the first 11 months of 2023 amounted to $67.03 billion, down 8.4% from a year earlier.

Preliminary estimates from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas indicate that service exports grew 20.7% to $34.73 billion in the first nine months of 2023.

“So we are looking at, based on and consistent with DBCC projections, about a 4% decline for the export of goods (for 2023); for services, we are much more optimistic,” Ms. Sykimte said.

“And when we estimate the last three months or the last quarter of the year, we are still looking at 5% growth for total exports — both goods and services,” she added.

However, she said the 5% “is still higher in terms of growth rate in the previous PEDP wherein the average growth rate for exports was about 4%.”

The DTI’s strategy to catch up with the PEDP target is to address concerns about the ease of doing business (EoDB) and make it easier for manufacturers to export, Ms. Sykimte said.

“The priority is to address concerns of EoDB, which include the regulatory issues that make it more expensive for manufacturers to export,” she added.

She said Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual has asked regulatory agencies to take a more developmental approach in their oversight of exporters.

“I would like to add that part of our strategy of increasing exports is really to bring in export-oriented foreign manufacturers to locate in the Philippines and for them to bring along their suppliers as well,” Mr. Pascual said.

Trade Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo said the focus of the department is to attract investment in manufacturing and exports.

“Just for context, our average nickel exports are $1 billion. Indonesia went from $1 billion in exports in 2015 to $20 billion because of nickel processing, and now they are at $30 billion,” said Mr. Rodolfo.

“That is the magnitude that we are looking for in terms of the value-add and it is quite substantial. So, generating investments is really key for value-add,” he added.

Indonesian recognition sought for PHL-certified halal products

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it will seek Indonesian recognition of Philippine-certified halal products, citing accreditation as an opportunity to enhance bilateral trade and connectivity.

At the Joint Philippines-Indonesia Roundtable Meeting on Wednesday, Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said the trade potential between the Philippines and Indonesia can be unlocked by facilitating the flow of Philippine goods into Indonesian markets and vice versa.

“We can make this happen through deepened cooperation on halal based on a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) between our nations,” Mr. Pascual said.

“Such measures align with Indonesia’s goal to enhance regional connectivity, catalyzing the flow of goods and invigorating the trading routes between the Philippines and Indonesia,” he added.

Mr. Pascual said that Indonesia is the Philippines’ fifth-largest trading partner, and the 15th largest export destination.

The Philippine Statistics Authority estimates that Indonesia accounted for $1.01 billion or 9.3% of total imports in November.

During the meeting, Mr. Pascual urged Indonesian business leaders to take advantage of Executive Order No. 18, which called for the streamlining of government processing of investment applications in strategic sectors like processing of critical minerals.

“Our nations are both rich in nickel and copper — vital for green technologies such as electric vehicles. By leveraging these resources and close collaboration, we can facilitate a transition towards a sustainable, low-carbon economy,” Mr. Pascual said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

NCR wholesale building materials price growth flat at 1.7% in Dec.

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

WHOLESALE price growth of construction materials in the National Capital Region (NCR) was flat at 1.7% in December, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Wednesday.

Citing preliminary data, the PSA said the December construction materials wholesale price index (CMWPI) reading was much weaker than the year-earlier rate of 10.3%.

The 1.7% rise has been unchanged since October.

In 2023, CMWPI averaged 5.3%, down from 2022’s 8.3%.

Of the 17 categories of commodity, only six posted increased price growth: sand and gravel, 1.3% from 1.2%; hardware, 4.6% from 4.5%; lumber, 1.2% from 1.1%; doors, jambs, and steel casements, 2.1% from 2%; tileworks, 0.1% from -0.1%, and fuels and lubricants, 0.5% from -3.6%.

Slower price growth was seen in electrical works (4.5% from 4.8%), painting works (4.5% from 5.4%), plywood (3.4% from 3.5%), G.I. Sheets (3% from 3.4%), plumbing fixtures and accessories/waterworks (2.3% from 2.5%), and concrete products and cement (1.8% from 1.9%). — Lourdes O. Pilar

New year, new audit

As most readers may know, the start of a tax audit by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is marked by the issuance of a Letter of Authority (LoA) which authorizes specific BIR officers/examiners (i.e., Revenue Officers and Group Supervisor) to examine the taxpayer’s books and accounting records.

After the BIR officers conduct their audit within a specified period of time, they will communicate their preliminary findings through a Notice of Discrepancy (NoD), and invite the taxpayer for a discussion within 30 days from receipt thereof.

If the tax findings remain unresolved, the BIR will then issue a Preliminary Assessment Notice (PAN). Upon receipt of the PAN, the taxpayer may reply in writing within 15 days.

Thereafter, the BIR will issue a Formal Letter of Demand (FLD) and Final Assessment Notice (FAN). The taxpayer must file a protest letter within 30 days from receipt of the FAN; otherwise, the assessment shall become final and executory. 

One may wonder, how does a taxpayer get selected for BIR audit?

As it undergoes digital transformation, the BIR electronically selects taxpayers that will be issued an LoA based on transactions identified as risk areas.

To notify the BIR officers and guide the taxpayers who received LoAs on the updated policies and audit process, and with the goal of improving the operational efficiency of audit activities, the BIR issued Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) No. 6-2023. This RMO also clarifies that all taxpayers are possible candidates for audit.

Aside from selection based on the BIR system criteria, there are other instances where the BIR issues an LoA. For instance, taxpayers applying for tax clearance are subjected to audit to ensure that no unpaid taxes remain upon closure.

It is clear that only one LoA may be issued to a taxpayer for each taxable year, except when a specific tax type had been previously examined. So, if the BIR has issued a value-added tax (VAT) LoA for a taxable/period, this tax type should be excluded in the new LoA for all internal revenue taxes (i.e., LoA for all taxes except VAT) covering the same taxable period. There are also instances where a taxpayer who has an ongoing tax audit with the BIR, still receives a Discrepancy Notice (DN). The RMO confirms that this DN should be consolidated with the existing LoA.

What happens after the taxpayer has fully complied with the Checklist of Documentary Requirements attached to the LoA?

Once the BIR officers find the documents submitted by the taxpayer substantial, they will communicate their preliminary findings to the taxpayers through the issuance of the NoD.

This stage can be a crucial part of the audit as this can sometimes be the best time to resolve cases. It presents an opportunity for the taxpayer to discuss the explanations with the examiners to facilitate resolution at the earliest possible time.

RMO No. 6-2023 requires the revenue officers to submit their report of investigation for cases covered by an LoA (other than replacement LoA) within 180 days for Regional cases, 240 days for Large Taxpayers (LT) cases, and 90 days for the Large Taxpayers VAT Audit Unit (LTVAU), VAT Audit Section (VATAS) and Office Audit Section (OAS), from the date of the LoA.

While the RMO specified the deadline of the examiner’s report of investigation, there appears to be different interpretations as to which report the BIR officer should complete within the deadline — is it the NoD or the PAN?

From my discussions with various BIR examiners in cases I’ve handled last year, there does not appear to be a clear consensus. When the RMO took effect on Jan. 1, 2023, most of the BIR examiners interpreted the deadlines as applying to the completion of their audit of the taxpayer’s books and submission of their preliminary findings for the issuance of the NoD. However, there are also some BIR officers who interpret the deadlines as applying to the submission of the case dockets to the reviewing offices for the issuance of the PAN.

The disparity in interpretation has led to challenges and missed opportunities for both taxpayers and BIR officers.

For one, there were missed opportunities to resolve issues and close cases at the early stage of the audit. Taxpayers, thus, incur additional interest due to the prolonged process. On the other hand, the BIR also loses out on earlier collections at the NoD stage.

In my view, the prescribed deadlines should apply to the submission of the BIR examiner’s report on the results of the investigation based on the documents submitted by the taxpayers during the LoA stage. This is to allow taxpayers reasonable time to retrieve and collate voluminous documents from two to three years ago, as most companies may not have enough personnel to focus on the retrieval of the necessary documents.

If we interpreted the prescribed deadline as submission of the report for issuance of the PAN, it would be unfortunate for the examiners as they may not have enough time to conduct a proper audit. As for the taxpayers, their explanations may not be given due consideration because of the tight timeline in issuing the PAN.

In recent years, I’ve noticed that some taxpayers receive up to two LoAs per year. Unfortunately, tax audits normally take a significant time to complete, which results in overlapping tax cases. Understandably, it becomes tedious for most taxpayers to deal with these cases at the same time. We should keep in mind that, in addition to boosting internal revenue collections, the goal of a tax audit is to improve the taxpayers’ compliance with tax laws and regulations.

In 2024, I hope the BIR can release more clarificatory rulings or circulars to address some contentious tax issues, including the audit report deadline mentioned in RMO No. 6-2023, so that taxpayers will be properly guided. That way, issues arising from multiple interpretations of rules can be avoided and perhaps allow the BIR to achieve the same collection target through voluntary tax compliance.

Clearer guidelines and a well-defined timeline for the BIR’s audit process are essential for taxpayers to plan effectively and facilitate the resolution of cases at the BIR level. A more transparent and consistent approach would benefit both the taxpayers and the BIR in achieving their respective goals — that is, for taxpayers to pay their dues and for BIR to meet their collection targets for the country’s economic well-being.

The views or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Isla Lipana & Co. The content is for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for specific advice.

 

Angelika Valmonte is an assistant manager at the Tax Services department of Isla Lipana & Co., the Philippine member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers global network.

valmonte.angelika@pwc.com

Centeno seeded 6th in Predator Billiards Women’s Showdown

CHEZKA CENTENO — PREDATOR PRO BILLIARD SERIES FACEBOOK

FOR emerging the world women’s 10-Ball queen in Klagenfurt, Austria in October last year, Filipina pool star Chezka Centeno was given one of the eight spots and seeded players to the $100,000 Predator Billiards Series Women’s Showdown set Feb. 27 to March 1 in Las Vegas.

“Something to look forward to,” said the 24-year-old Zamboanga City native who joined the ranks that included her idol, mentor and friend Rubilen Amit as world champions after her magical Klagenfurt feat.

In Las Vegas, the 16-player field will also have reigning world 9-Ball titlist Chou Chieh-Yu of Chinese Taipei, Great Britain’s Kelly Fisher and Allison Fisher, Bulgaria’s Kristina Zlateva, Austria’s Jasmin Ouschan, Australia’s Bean Hung and Chinese Taipei’s Chen Chia Hua.

The other eight participants have yet to be determined.

The Women’s Showdown will begin with a round-robin group stage with each group having two seeded players and two invited players.

The top two players from each bracket advance to the single-round elimination stage.

The event, which stakes $35,000 to the champion, is said to be one of the greatest and strongest women’s fields as all eight are ranked in the WPA top eight, including Ms. Centeno at No. 6.

And Ms. Centeno hopes to wade into battle with one thing in mind — win it all.

“Promising to grind even harder, aim higher, and evolve into the player I’ve dreamed of becoming,” she said. — Joey Villar

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