Written by: Joana G. Gabaon
In line with the University of Baguio’s commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a group of 4th Year Accountancy students undergoing their On-the-Job Training (OJT), in partnership with the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) – Local Chapter, conducted a webinar titled “Inside the BIR: Services, Processes, and A Guide to Audits and Investigations” on Saturday, November 8, 2025, via Zoom.
The webinar featured Mr. Jerry Kidlo, CPA, a University of Baguio alumnus and current Revenue Examiner at the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Revenue District Office No. 007 in Bangued, Abra. A total of 114 participants attended the event, composed primarily of Accountancy students from the School of Business Administration and Accountancy (SBAA), along with Financial Management and Human Resource Management students from other universities.
Mr. Kidlo discussed several key topics, including Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) application for both individuals and non-individuals, the agency’s digitalization projects and programs, its ISO certifications, and the Electronic Letter of Authority (eLA/LA/LOA). He also emphasized that possessing more than one TIN is illegal and punishable under Philippine law.
During the Question and Answer portion of the webinar, a participant asked about the common mistakes individuals and businesses make during BIR audits and how they can prepare to avoid them. Mr. Kidlo explained that taxpayers often disregard notices from the agency, and he encouraged them to comply with requirements promptly, maintain organized records, and remain confident in their declarations.
Picture 2. Photo Opportunity.
When asked about the most challenging aspect of working at the BIR, he responded, “The hardest part of being a public servant is to be consistently fair and stick to your ethical principles.” He added that striking a balance between professionalism, kindness, and compassion toward taxpayers makes the work particularly demanding.
The organizers aligned the activity with multiple SDGs, including UB’s core SDGs—SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). In addition, the event supported priority goals of the school and offices such as SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
