By Jun Ramirez The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is encouraging taxpayers to use the electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) in the submission of the 2019 income tax return (ITR) to avoid catching the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Revenue Deputy Commissioner for Operations Arnel Guballa said the eFPS is open 24/7 to accept ITR submissions despite operating on a skeletal force due to the pandemic. The online filing system is available at www.bir.gov.ph. Bureau of Internal Revenue (MANILA BULLETIN) BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay has scaled down the number of workforce to protect the health of the men and women of the service. It was learned that four taxmen had already died of the disease, one each from district offices of Caloocan, Makati, Pasig, and the national investigation division. Guballa said the management maintains a skeletal force to continue the assessment and collection activities. "More than ever, we have to stay focused on our jobs and generate more funds to help fight the deadly disease," Guballa said. The national government gets the bulk of its budgetary needs from the bureau whose collection goal of P2.5 trillion for the year has become unattainable due to the economic storm caused by the virus. Under Dulay's memorandum, the head and assistant chief of the Information System Group shall report alternately, together with a limited number of staff, to operate the online facilities 24 hours daily, seven times a week. The same work policy applies to specialized audit divisions in the national office as well as the regional and district offices nationwide to monitor and supervise the assessment and collection jobs.