Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. reported that the agency has consistently exceeded monthly collection targets, attributing the success mainly to heightened tax enforcement activities.

During a media forum hosted by the Philippine Information Agency, Lumagui expressed satisfaction with the ongoing collection efforts, saying "collection going very well."

Despite the positive trend, the BIR chief refrained from estimating the exact collection for the first 10 months of the year due to the recent shift in the payment schedule of value-added tax (VAT) from monthly to quarterly, with results for the last quarter expected in January next year.

The adjustment aims to enhance the convenience of VAT payments for taxpayers. The Development Budget Coordination Committee has tasked the bureau to raise at least of P2.6 trillion this year.

Lumagui emphasized the commitment to pursue enforcement activities "fearlessly and aggressively" to combat illicit trades.

Additionally, plans include reinforcing digitalization programs to streamline tax filing and payment processes for greater taxpayer convenience.

Since taking office late last year, Lumagui has actively addressed various forms of tax evasion, particularly targeting businesses using fake receipts and invoices, manufacturers of these sales papers and entities subject to excise tax like cigarettes, perfume and toiletries.

Notably, efforts have resulted in the filing of multi-billion peso tax evasion cases and the closure of hundreds retail outlets engaged in substantial underreporting of sales to minimize tax obligations.