‘Balik Ka, Kabayan’ tax, business reform seminar held in DC

Raymond Abrea starts his presentation with an info graphic followed by the question “Taxable or exempt?” during the “Balik ka, Kabayan” seminar held at the Philippine Embassy Chancery Annex on Sept. 17. CONTRIBUTED

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Filipino American from the DC-Maryland-Virginia area attended the much anticipated “Balik ka, Kabayan” seminar featuring “The Philippine Tax Whiz” Raymond Abrea, at the Philippine Embassy Chancery Annex on 17 September 2019.

Raymond Abrea is the founding president of the Center for Strategic Reforms (CSR) of the Philippines, a non-profit NGO that serves as the official Think Tank of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry and the Bureau of Internal Revenue on ease of doing business.

Abrea gave an in-depth presentation on the comprehensive tax reform program of the current Philippine administration, explaining new laws and regulations and how they will impact investing and doing business in the Philippines. Among these laws is the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) that aims to help professionals and those who are self-employed.

A brief Q&A session followed Raymond Abrea’s presentation. CONTRIBUTED

He also touched on the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act, Tax Amnesty Act, and upcoming Tax Reforms.

“If you have any other ideas that will help our Philippine economy, tell us and we will discuss it with our government. We are really working hard to make sure that before this administration ends, something significant will be accomplished whether it is on our tax system, or in the ease of doing business. And as we always say, if we want a better Philippines, we need to be better citizens whether we are in the Philippines or abroad, and better taxpayers,” said Abrea as he concluded his presentation.

A short video about the Build Build Build infrastructure program was also shown prior to Abrea’s presentation.

Group photo of Raymond Abrea with Commercial Counsellor Raymond Batac, Consul General Renato Pedro Villa, and attendees of the seminar. CONTRIBUTED

Philippine Embassy Commercial Counsellor Raymond Batac, served as the emcee and moderator. The Philippine American Chamber of Commerce – Washington DC (PACC-DC) provided additional support to the overall success of the program.

The Washington, D.C. seminar is the second stop of the U.S. leg of the “Balik ka, Kabayan” International Roadshow that aims to encourage overseas Filipinos to invest and do business in the Philippines.