Creating a Task Force on Revenue Measures

August 11, 2004 DOF DEPARTMENT ORDER NO . 027-04 CREATING A TASK FORCE ON REVENUE MEASURES Whereas , among the chief responsibilities of the Department of Finance is the generation of the financial resources of the government "in a manner supportive of development objectives;" Whereas , to accomplish its goals, the Department is mandated to "formulate, institutionalize & administer financial and tax policies;" "supervise, direct and control the collection of government revenues;". and "coordinate with other government agencies on matters concerning fiscal and monetary policies, credit, economic development, international finance, trade, and investment;" Whereas , the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs are the two frontline bureaus of the Department tasked with the implementation of tax and customs laws, and the collection of internal revenue taxes and customs duties; Whereas , the Department, in coordination with the Economic Team, 1 has determined that several revenue measures must be pursued for enactment into law by the 13th Congress to generate revenues, strengthen revenue operations, and address the budget deficit of the government; Whereas , passage of these measures is of utmost urgency and priority, and requires the immediate attention and focus of the Department and the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Customs. Whereas , for proper coordination, focus and systematic pursuit of these measures, and to ensure a unified Department position on revenue measures, a Task Force is hereby created (the "Task Force on Revenue Measures") with the following: 1. Composition Chairman Undersecretary, Revenue Operations Vice-Chairman Undersecretary Domestic Finance Members Commissioner, Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner, Bureau of Customs Executive Director, National Tax Research Center Director, Fiscal Policy and Planning Office, DOF Director, Research and Information Office, DOF Research and Technical Arm National Tax Research Center Research and Information Office, DOF Fiscal Policy and Planning Office, DOF Legal Service, BIR and BOC Management Information Groups, BIR and BOC 2. Duties and responsibilities a. Conduct a thorough and comprehensive study of all revenue measures endorsed by the Economic Team with due regard to all relevant data and statistics; applicable laws, rules and regulations; and policy directions of the Government; b. Review and evaluate measures as may be proposed by the Bureaus of Internal Revenue and Customs for inclusion in the legislative agenda, as well as those that may be proposed by other sectors, agencies or the public. In this connection, the Bureaus of Internal Revenue and Customs are hereby directed to submit to the Task Force their respective proposals within two weeks from date of this Order; c. Recommend the position to be taken by the Department on the measures and prepare corresponding draft bills, for approval of the Secretary; d. Prepare all position papers, reports, briefings materials, and other supporting documents and studies for the revenue measures; e. Conduct workshops, consultations with affected sectors and the public at large, briefings, and the like on the proposed measures; f. Represent the Department and ensure the attendance of responsible officials and staff in hearings and sessions of Congress, including its Committees and technical working groups; Provided , that at all such hearings, senior officials of the BIR and/or the BOC (with the rank of Deputy Commissioner or Collector) must at all times be present, and; Provided, further , that at all such hearings and sessions, the Department's official position shall be espoused; AaITCH g. Perform all such other acts necessary and desirable, as may be instructed by the Secretary, or otherwise upon her clearance, to attain the objectives of this Department Order in a timely, efficient and professional manner. It is hereby emphasized that all working papers, reports, materials, source data, memos of the Task Force, its Research and Technical Arm, as well as those that may be submitted to the Task Force by any concerned sector or government agency, are considered classified information and may be divulged, disclosed, or otherwise released to any party (including the press/media) only upon clearance or instructions of the Secretary. In case of urgency and the Secretary is not readily available to give clearance, the Chairman of the Task Force is hereby authorized to give clearance as she may deem proper. In the interest of proper coordination and consistency, the Task Force may designate a spokesperson/s at large or for specific measures. 3. Agency Assistance and Coordination The Task Force shall engage the assistance of other government agencies such as but not limited to departments, bureaus, and offices; secure relevant information and data therefrom; and coordinate with such agencies to ensure that government policies are aligned. The Bureaus of Internal Revenue and Customs shall promptly submit all information as may be required by the Task Force in the discharge of its functions. For this purpose, they are hereby directed to promptly advise the Task Force of key contact officials and staff of their agencies who shall be responsible for securing, collating and submitting such data or information required by the Task Force. They shall also second such personnel or staff that the Task Force may need to assist in clerical, technical, and operational matters. 4. Timetable The Task Force shall organize its work in such a manner that an order of priority is observed; provided that, by the end of October, 2004, all studies on the revenue measures proposed by the Economic Team must have been completed and the DOF counterpart bills are ready for filing with Congress. The Chairman shall convene the Task Force immediately upon receipt of this Order, and shall meet at least once a week thereafter. 5. Supervising Authority The Task Force shall be under the direct supervision of the Secretary or her designate and, through the Chairman, shall directly report on its work to the Secretary from time to time, with the end in view of keeping the Secretary continuously informed of the Task Force's work and the progress thereof. For strict compliance. (SGD.) JUANITA D. AMATONG Secretary Footnotes 1. The Economic Team is composed of the Secretaries of Finance, Budget Management, Trade and Industry, Energy, National Economic and Development Authority, and the Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.