BIR lauds Olongapo's high revenue collection

WITH sound and practical policies, Olongapo Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. continues to steer the city toward brighter economic prospects achieving improved revenue collection and a decline in unemployment rate.

The 24.45-percent rise in revenue collection, a record-breaking high in Region, 3 elicited a commendation from the Bureau of Internal Revenue which declared Olongapo the region’s top tax revenue earner last year.

Gordon’s managerial instinct has worked well for a city that 15 years ago was down at the bottom of the pit after being struck by the Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption and the US bases pullout.

Shut down and abandoned commercial buildings including vacant lots have come alive again as new business ventures took over, lured by incentives offered by the Gordon administration as well as the good peace and order condition. The local employment rate is also up by 20 percent as of the first quarter of this year. Gordon’s Livelihood Assistance Program has also contributed to increased productivity.

The efficient revenue collection can be attributed to Gordon’s formula of according local taxpayers the VIP treatment. The usual long queues of taxpayers and power consumers who were exposed to the elements while waiting for their turn to pay are now conveniently sheltered in air-conditioned rooms with comfortable chairs and television sets.

The city government also extended assistance to the local BIR in moving to a new and more functional office for the convenience of its employees and taxpayers. Journal online