WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act No. 8424 or the "Tax Reform Act of 1997", as amended, declares it a policy of the State to: (i) promote sustainable economic growth through rationalization of the country's internal revenue tax system, including tax administration; (ii) provide, as much as possible, equitable relief to a greater number of taxpayers in order to improve the levels of disposable income and increase economic activity; (iii) create a robust environment for the business sector to enable firms to compete better in regional and global markets; and (iv) ensure that the Government is able to provide for the needs of those under its jurisdiction and care;

WHEREAS, taxation is crucial for nation-building as it allows the government to promote the welfare of citizens, sustain economic and development programs, and push the country towards strong economic recovery;

WHEREAS, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), being the premier revenue-generating agency of the country, needs all the support it can get from various sectors of society in disseminating information on the various requirements of taxation, particularly relative to taxpayer registration, filing of tax returns, and payments of taxes; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to promote and enhance the awareness of Filipinos on tax laws, rules and regulations in order to improve the nation's tax collection and enhance the trust of the general public in the integrity of the country's tax administration system; 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR., President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby declare the month of February of every year as "Tax awareness Month."

For this purpose, the BIR is hereby directed to lead, coordinate, and supervise the observance of the Tax Awareness Month, and identify the programs, activities and projects for the celebration thereof.

All agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, government financial institutions, and state universities and colleges, are hereby directed, and all local government units, non-government organizations, as well as the private sector, are hereby encouraged to render the necessary support and assistance to the BIR, and to actively participate in the observance of the Tax Awareness Month.

Proclamation Nos. 960 (s.1972) and 1239 (s. 1974) are hereby repealed. All other issuances, orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof that are inconsistent with this Proclamation, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 1^st day of March, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty Four.

 

(SGD.) FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR.