BIR, KOICA turn over enhanced e-invoicing system

QUEZON CITY — The Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Korea International Cooperation Agency have completed the Electronic Invoicing and Sales Reporting System Post Management Support Project, marking the formal turnover of the enhanced EIS to the BIR.

The turnover was held during a Recognition and Transition Ceremony on July 7, 2026, at the BIR National Office in Quezon City.

The ceremony was led by BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa, Department of Finance Undersecretary Rolando T. Ligon Jr., and KOICA Philippines Country Director Jung Youngsun.

The event recognized the completion of a 14-month technical assistance project implemented by KOICA through JNH Consulting Co. Ltd.

The project focused on upgrading EIS functionalities, addressing critical operational gaps in the system, and strengthening the technical capability of BIR personnel.

In a recorded video message, Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go said the project supports the government’s broader digital transformation agenda.

“The EIS Post Management Support Project is proof of our steadfast commitment to modernizing our tax administration. By contributing to the development of our tax systems, doing business in the Philippines is becoming easier, more cost-efficient, and more predictable for all.”

Go also thanked the Republic of Korea and its implementing partners for helping strengthen the country’s tax systems.

He said the partnership helped build the institutional capability needed to sustain the system and showed the value of international cooperation in improving public service.

Mendoza said the project’s biggest achievement was not limited to the technical enhancements made to the EIS.

He said the project also developed the BIR’s internal capability to independently sustain, operate, and further improve the system.

“Under our BIR DARES reform agenda, Digital and Data Transformation has always meant strengthening both our systems and our people. This project is a good reminder that every investment in technology must also be an investment in people,” he said.

In his keynote message, Ligon said the core EIS was successfully implemented and turned over to the BIR in 2022.

He said the July 7 ceremony marked the completion of the Post Management Support Project, which began in May 2025.

“Our teams are now fully equipped to sustain and maximize this system independently. As this project is formally turned over to the Bureau, we do so with complete confidence that the BIR will build on these operational gains to advance its long-term digital transformation,” Ligon said.

The EIS is part of the government’s continuing effort to modernize tax administration through digital invoicing and electronic sales reporting.

The BIR’s EIS platform is designed to support the electronic issuance and reporting of invoices, improving tax monitoring and reducing manual compliance processes.

Jung said the enhanced EIS delivers tangible improvements to tax administration.

He said automatic invoice matching and validation would significantly improve the value-added tax refund investigation process.

Jung also said the enhanced EIS strengthens statistical reporting and complements the Internal Revenue Integrated System, or IRIS.

He said these improvements would enable faster, more accurate, and more efficient tax administration.

“As we conclude this project, our focus now turns to maximizing the value and sustainability of the EIS. With our Philippine partners’ strong leadership and improved technical capacity, we are confident that the EIS will continue to evolve and deliver even greater value in the years ahead,” Jung added.

Lee said the EIS reflects the deepening partnership between the Republic of Korea and the Philippines in advancing innovation, strengthening governance, and promoting inclusive economic growth.

He said the project also serves as a concrete follow-through to the Republic of Korea–Philippines Bilateral Summit held in March 2026.

Lee said the enhanced EIS supports continuing efforts to address investment-related concerns of Korean companies operating in the Philippines.

“As the BIR continues to be an essential partner of Korean companies operating in the Philippines, as well as the Korean community at large, I commend Commissioner Mendoza’s able leadership for paying close attention to their concerns, helping address practical difficulties, and successfully balancing effective revenue collection with a fair, transparent, and taxpayer-focused tax administration system,” Ambassador Lee said.

The project comes as the Philippines and South Korea continue to deepen economic cooperation, including investment, infrastructure, digital transformation, and governance initiatives.

Deputy Commissioners Ma. Rosario Charo G. Enriquez-Curiba, Vener S. Baquiran, Larry M. Barcelo, Marissa O. Cabreros, and Teresita M. Angeles also attended the ceremony.

Officials and representatives of the BIR, DOF, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, KOICA, and JNH Consulting Co. Ltd. were also present.