The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Wednesday carried out its first simultaneous nationwide operations towards illicit cigarette commerce.
In a press release, the BIR stated the federal government was dropping P50 billion to P100 billion in tax revenues from the illicit tobacco commerce.
Revenues from the sale of cigarettes are meant to fund fundamental providers together with the Universal Health Care program and different nationwide growth objectives.
BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. on Wednesday led simultaneous operations by “placing all regional enforcers on alert and in action while conducting operations on 378 stores in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.”
The BIR stated authorities had operations in 21 provinces, 69 cities, and municipalities nationwide, particularly focusing on wholesalers and retailers that have been promoting illicit cigarettes.
The company stated it confiscated unlawful cigarettes which are untaxed, faux, and smuggled.
“Let me make this clear to you illegal traders. This is just the beginning of our simultaneous nationwide operations. We are serious in our crackdown against the illicit cigarette trade. We will be strict on implementing the law from hereon,” Lumagui stated.
The BIR stated its varied income areas in Luzon held a complete of 195 in simultaneous commerce enforcements in Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Palawan, Rizal, Cavite and in Manila.
Authorities additionally launched 115 in Mindanao and 68 within the Visayas. —NB, GMA Integrated News
