BIR to start recruiting people to fill up vacant positions

MANILA, Philippines- The Bureau of Internal Revenue can now start the recruitment process in a bid to increase its personnel while waiting for the official approval of the rationalization plan, commissioner Sixto S. Esquivias IV said citing Budget Secretary Rolando G. Andaya Jr. "Now more than ever, we need to do a lot of enforcement activities. We need a lot more people. RDO (revenue district office) people and directors are saying they lack examiners and lawyers. We want to increase compliance given the surge in the number of violators," he told reporters. In 2005, the government issued Executive Order (EO) No. 366 to improve the delivery of public services through the rationalization of government operations. It directs government agencies and entities under the executive branch to conduct a strategic review of their operations and organizations and to come up with options and incentives for employees who may be affected by their rationalization efforts. In a separate interview, BIR deputy commissioner Nelson M. Aspe said the BIR's rationalization plan has been approved but its implementation has been deferred. "President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said no one will be laid off. Insofar as the BIR is concerned, Nonoy Andaya told the commissioner that BIR is authorized to hire," he said. Initially, BIR has to hire around 3,000 personnel to fill up vacant positions although this is not yet under the rationalization plan. The plan calls for the commissioner to oversee a wider operation with the inclusion of performance audit division and excise taxpayers service along with policy and planning service, excise taxpayers service, large taxpayers service and performance audit division.-GMANews.TV