SENATE Minority Leader Alan Peter S. Cayetano on Wednesday called for more government agencies to ease compliance requirements for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) following the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) suspension of the mandatory online display of its Registration Seal Badge.
In a statement, Mr. Cayetano welcomed the BIR’s decision to suspend the Oct. 31 compliance deadline following data privacy, technical and scope concerns among online sellers, content creators and other taxpayers.
He, however, emphasized that the government can do more to support small entrepreneurs, including those in the informal sector.
Mr. Cayetano called for government agencies to coordinate their requirements, reduce repetitive submissions, and ensure systems run efficiently, which will simplify procedures and reduce the time entrepreneurs spend on compliance.
A whole-of-government effort will save time while protecting consumers, personal information, and public revenues, the senator added.
His sister, Senator Pilar Juliana, on Tuesday confirmed that her office directly informed the National Privacy Commission about the public’s concerns of identity theft and doxxing because the Seal Badge’s QR code displays taxpayers’ full legal names.
The commission met with BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza on Monday to discuss the implementation of the Seal Badge and its data privacy considerations.
The BIR said the suspension will allow it to address the public’s concerns by reviewing implementation of the requirements and consulting affected taxpayers and stakeholders — in-line with its commitment to make tax compliance easier.
“This is how we should work together,” the senator said. “The lesson is simple: listen to the people who deal with these requirements every day. Their experience can help us get policies right.”
Mr. Cayetano on Tuesday also emphasized that a day spent on compliance requirements may mean a day without income for a small business owner
Whether small sellers want to earn a dependable livelihood or expand operations, the senator said “both deserve a fair chance” and sound government policies and institutions can help them build a better future. — Francessca S. Abalos