The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Monday said low pay is the cause of the lack of tax collectors, accountants and lawyers in the agency.
In a Senate budget hearing of the Department of Finance (DOF) and its attached agencies, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian cited the more than 11,700 vacant positions in the BIR, of which 7,700 remained unfilled.
“Is it an issue of process or issue on salary? Or issue of attrition? Seven thousand is quiet significant,” Gatchalian said.
He also inquired if the lawyers working with the BIR were getting lower salaries than lawyers working with other government agencies and the private sector.
BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui admitted they were having difficulty recruiting people, especially in the provinces due to small salary in the BIR as compared to other agencies of the government.
He said the starting basic pay for BIR lawyers was only P27,000 a month compared to entry-level pay in other agency like in the Civil Service which reaches P51,000 in a month.
“So these are the challenges that we’re having especially in the provinces,” he said.
He also noted that a lot of BIR employees would want to be posted in Metro Manila.
“That’s also problem we’re encountering,” said Lumagui, adding there are more unfilled positions for lawyers and accountants in the provinces,” he said.
As far as processes are concerned, he said they were cutting the requirements down.
He said they are trying to fix that as well by having their agency accredited with the Civil Service Commission so that the regions can also quickly hire without going through the process.
“In terms of appointments we’re doing things or we’re addressing that particular issue,” he further stated.
Lumagui told the Senate Finance subcommittee that they need support for salary adjustment.
He expressed belief that higher compensation would entice “talents” to join the BIR especially lawyers and accountants.
Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Commitee on Ways and Means, manifested his support to increase the pay of BIR personnel.
He aired concern that if the low pay will continue, they might resort to corruption and other illegal practices.