Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. hopes to revise the tax agency’s logo for the first time in its 120-year history to reflect the transformation over the past decades and to make it more representative of the current administration’s directions.
Lumagui pointed out to reporters over a recent dinner meeting that the BIR logo, which has been used since the agency’s inception in 1904, only shows select industries, such as manufacturing and shipping.
“Those were the major industries at that time, so that was the focus. But there are many other industries now… I don’t like to see (specific) industries in the logo because we are all taxpayers. In fact, the biggest (aggregate contributors) are employees,” Lumagui said.
Lumagui also hopes to further improve public perception towards the BIR with the new logo, eyed to be launched on the tax agency’s 120th anniversary in August.
“Historically, we know that there is a negative perception on the BIR. We want to change the image of the BIR, so with the changing of the logo, we (hope to) change the perception… as we want to reflect the many changes that have happened in the agency,” Lumagui said.
In a recent circular, the BIR said the proposed updating of the institutional symbol hopes to reflect the direction of the current leadership, geared towards delivery of excellent taxpayer service through modernization and digitalization of core processes and frontline services.
The BIR recently invited the public to submit a design for the BIR’s logo contest, with cash prizes for the best three entries ranging from P25,000 to P100,000.
The best entry, however, shall still be submitted to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines for evaluation and necessary modification, as well as to the Office of the President for final approval.
