ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in the Zamboanga Peninsula has posted an increase of 24 percent or a revenue collection of over P407 million during the first two months of this year as compared to the same period last year.

BIR-15 Regional Director Rozil R. Lozares said his office collected P407,446,744.91 from January to February this year, registering an increase of P79,145,140.21 covering the same period last year which is P328,301,604.70.

Lozares said Revenue District Office 93-A (Zamboanga City) headed by Roberto Bucoy contributed the highest revenue collection amounting to P215,734,665.86 during the first two months, followed by Revenue District Office 91 (Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte) that posted P70,984,363.52.

Lozares reported that all his seven revenue district offices in the region have marked a positive growth in their revenue collections this year as compared to last year covering the same period.

“I am happy to report to you and to the public that your revenue office in the region has posted a remarkable increase in tax collection. An indication that traders in the region have started to cooperate with us and they are now paying the right revenue due to the government,” Lozares told journalist here during a round table conference.

It was learned that BIR-15 targeted to collect P2.5 billion in revenue this year from traders and individuals in the entire region, while this city contributed a big share of the collection quota this year to P1.4 billion.