The Bureau of Internal Revenue said it is aiming to sustain revenue growth above 4% this year as the government sets a collection target of ₱3.43 trillion for 2026, down from an earlier estimate of nearly ₱3.6 trillion.

In an interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos on Friday, BIR Commissioner Atty. Charlito Mendoza said the revised target was finalized during a recent interagency meeting of the Development Budget Coordination Committee, which sets revenue goals for collecting agencies.

“Ngayong taon po ang ating BESF [Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing] target is originally close to 3.6 trillion. Although nung huling meeting po ng DBCC [Development Budget Coordination Committee] ang emerging goal po na sinet nila is 3.43 trillion for this year,” Mendoza said.

When asked if the agency could meet the revised target, Mendoza said the BIR would strive to achieve it, stressing the importance of tax revenues in funding government programs.

“Pipilitin po natin. Pagsusumikapan po natin na ma-achieve yan sapagkat alam naman natin na ang mga buwis na binabayad, kailangan natin,” he said.

Mendoza also reported that the agency’s performance from January to April remained above target, with cumulative collections showing positive growth even after accounting for tax refunds.

“Ito kasing April is tentative pa. Pero yung ating growth from January to March, tanggalin po natin yung refunds kasi binabawas yan. Yung net growth is around 4 point something percent,” he said.

He added that March alone posted double-digit growth in gross revenues, which he described as a strong monthly performance.

Pressed on whether a 12% monthly growth rate was significant for the agency, Mendoza said the BIR has recorded strong growth figures in previous years but noted the latest results reflect sustained collection efficiency.