2025 Tax Filing Season kick-offs in Quezon City Revenue Region, deadline of filing on April 15

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue Region (RR) No. 7A Quezon City held its 2025 Regional Tax Campaign Kick-off on March 4 to officially commence its tax campaign activities for the year. 

This year's tax campaign theme, "Buwis na Tapat, Tagumpay Nating Lahat," aims to encourage voluntary compliance from taxpayers through timely payment of the correct taxes in order to generate funds for the country's economic recovery and development. 

The event was spearheaded by BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. who delivered the Welcome Message encouraging taxpayers to pay the correct taxes. The launch was also graced by the Top tax paying individuals and non-individual taxpayers of each Revenue District Office under the region. Also present during the event were famous media personalities who are advocates of the Bureau’s campaign to collect the correct taxes.

The filing of the 2024 Annual Income Tax Returns (AITR) for RR 7A – Quezon City officially started on January 1 with the deadline being on April 15, 2025. The filing and payment of taxes can be done anywhere –  either electronically through various online platforms of the BIR (eFPs or eBIRForms) that can be accessed through the BIR website (https://www.bir.gov.ph), or through any Authorized Agent Bank (AAB) and the  Revenue District Offices’ Revenue Collection Officers (RCOs).

For inquiries regarding registration, BIR forms, zonal value of properties and the Bureau’s eServices and the eComplaint facility, taxpayers may also use the 24/7 Digital Assistant called “Revie.” For more information, please visit the BIR Website at www.bir.gov.ph or the BIR social media pages.

ARTA Hails the Official Declaration of May as Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Month

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has officially declared May of every year as the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Month through Proclamation No. 818, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on 3 March 2025. The proclamation designates the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) as the lead agency responsible for overseeing the annual observance of EODB Month.

A significant move to improve bureaucratic efficiency in the country through a whole-of-nation approach, the directive mandates all national government agencies (NGAs), government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), and local government units (LGUs) covered under Republic Act No. 9485, or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, as amended, to coordinate with ARTA in implementing programs and initiatives related to the EODB Month celebration. This initiative aims to streamline government processes, reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies, and foster a more business-friendly environment across the country.

May 2025 also marks the seventh (7th) anniversary of the enactment of the Ease of Doing Business Law, which was signed into law on 28 May 2018. To commemorate EODB Month and this milestone, ARTA will organize a series of activities throughout the month to raise awareness, encourage compliance with the EODB Law, and highlight the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance ease of doing business in the Philippines.

As part of its reform agenda, ARTA will continue to strengthen public-private partnerships and recognize LGUs compliant with the electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS). These LGUs have demonstrated adherence to the core functionalities outlined in ARTA-DTI-DILG-DICT Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2021-01. As of December 2024, 113 LGUs have been validated as eBOSS-compliant, with ARTA aiming to commend at least 100 more LGUs this year through continuous validation of compliance.

With the proclamation, ARTA will continue to push for the setting up of Business One-Stop Shop for additional priority sectors such as renewable energy, responsible mining, food and agriculture, water treatment and conservation, semi- conductor, mass housing, and ship building. 

To accelerate digital transformation in government services, ARTA will also roll out the electronic Complaints Management System (eCMS) and the corresponding Ease of Doing Business Portal with the use of technology to improve the efficiency of handling and resolving business-related complaints. Additionally, ARTA will continue to train government agencies on the Philippine Business Regulations Information System (PBRIS) and the Anti-Red Tape Electronic Management Information System (ARTEMIS). These digital tools aim to enhance regulatory transparency, promote data-driven governance, and streamline interactions between businesses and government agencies.

Additionally, ARTA will continue to expand its network of ARTA Champions, building on the 26 new partners in 2024, bringing the total to 36. These ARTA Champions, comprising key representatives from government agencies and the private sector, play a crucial role in addressing ease of doing business and red tape-related concerns.

To further support these initiatives, ARTA will also launch the Philippine Reform Guidebook, based on the B-READY Index, in conjunction with EODB Month and ARTA’s anniversary celebrations. The 2025 Philippine Reform Guidebook will address gaps identified in the 2024 World Bank Group (WBG) B-READY Report and serve as a strategic resource for improving the country’s ranking in the coming years to attract more investments

Through these efforts, the government reaffirms its commitment to advancing reforms that drive economic growth, enhance bureaucratic efficiency, and position the Philippines as a globally competitive investment destination in a Bagong Pilipinas. 

ARTA Hosts 1st Telco Forum, Launches EO 32 Primer to Strengthen PH Digital Connectivity

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) hosted its inaugural Telco Forum and launched the Executive Order No. 32 (EO 32) Primer at the ARTA Transformation Hub, UP AyalaLand Technohub, on 20 February. The event aimed to strengthen the telecommunications sector and streamline infrastructure development.

With the theme “Securing Our Connectivity: Fortifying the PH Telecommunications Sector,” the forum tackled industry advancements, cybersecurity challenges, and the ongoing SIM registration implementation.

Globe Telecom served as a key sponsor of the Forum, reinforcing its commitment to industry growth and collaboration.

"We are grateful to ARTA for organizing the 1st Telco Forum and launching the EO 32 Primer. This initiative will accelerate the rollout of telco infrastructure, driving not just improved connectivity but also economic growth of the country,” said Karlmarx T. Rubia, Business Consulting Director for Cybersecurity and Data Analytics of Globe Business.

The event also featured an open forum where public and private stakeholders discussed a whole-of-nation approach to telecommunications reforms.

EO 32 Primer Unveiled

ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez led the presentation of the EO 32 Primer, emphasizing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to accelerate and simplify the construction of telecommunications infrastructure.

In his message on the EO 32 Primer, President Marcos Jr. emphasized that it will enhance telecommunications and internet infrastructure development with efficiency, clarity, and urgency.

“This document is a decisive reform that dismantles these unnecessary barriers step towards our mission to boost the development of telecommunications and internet infrastructure with efficiency, clarity, and urgency. Indeed, this primer is a clear and comprehensive guide to transformative change” – Said President Marcos jr.

The EO 32 Primer guides telecommunications companies through the simplified permitting process for infrastructure projects. It outlines EO 32’s goal of reducing bureaucratic hurdles and expediting digital connectivity nationwide.

It includes a step-by-step guide on application requirements and procedures, along with a FAQs section to address common stakeholder concerns.

With the EO 32 Primer, ARTA aims to guide stakeholders, including local government units (LGUs) and the private sector, in ensuring smoother compliance with streamlined regulations that support economic growth and technological advancements.

Government and Industry Stakeholders in Attendance

The forum gathered key representatives and industry leaders, including Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary for Infostructure Management, Cybersecurity, and Upskilling Usec. Jeffrey Ian C. Dy, Assistant Secretary for Infostructure Management Asec. Phillip Varilla, and DICT Division Chief Delia E. Basada.

Also present were industry experts including Smart Communications Inc.’s Atty. Roy Cecil D. Ibay, Vice President and Head of Regulatory Affairs; DITO Telecommunity’s Engr. Benedicto Lacsamana, Director of Site Acquisition and Management and Network Construction and Col. Roleen Del Prado, Manager of Cyber and Information Security; and Secure Connections’ Dr. William Emmanuel S. Yu.

The event was also attended by representatives from key government agencies and the private sector, including National Privacy Commission (NPC) Director for Privacy Policy Franklin Anthony Tabaquin IV, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Head of Security Unit John Paul de Leon, and National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Engineers Ruben Valeros and Imelda Walcien. Representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine Information and Communications Technology Organization (PICTO), and Better Internet PH also participated in the forum.

Additionally, registered Independent Tower Companies (ITCs), including Alliance Towers Corporation, EdgePoint Towers Inc., PhilTower Consortium Inc., Transcend Towers, and Unity Digital Infrastructure Inc., also attended the activity.

ARTA’s Commitment to a Digitally Connected Philippines

ARTA Deputy Director General for Operations Undersecretary Gerald G. Divinagracia and Better Regulations Office (BRO) Director Marbida L. Marbida underscored the agency’s dedication to fast-tracking regulatory reforms.

With strong support from the telecommunications sector, ARTA remains committed to simplifying processes, eliminating bureaucratic hurdles, and enhancing digital infrastructure in line with the vision of Bagong Pilipinas.