The PTA 16th Anniversary Forum Opens a Continuing Conversation on the Future of Tax and Revenue Administration
“Technology transforms systems. Knowledge transforms people. But when knowledge, innovation, and public service come together, they transform nations.”
Mandaluyong, Metro Manila – 28 July 2026 – The Philippine Tax Academy marked its 16th charter anniversary with a forum carrying the theme “Shaping the Future of Tax and Revenue Administration: Digital Transformation, Innovation, and Global Best Practices,” bringing together the country’s tax and revenue administrators, digital governance officials, and industry leaders to take stock of reforms underway and chart what comes next.
The forum welcomed around 60 in-person guests and 250 online participants drawn from across the Department of Finance (DOF), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), local governments, and the private sector – a lineup reflecting the whole-of-government spirit the anniversary was built to celebrate.
Opening the Forum, Dr. Ma. Pamela P. Quizon, Chancellor of the Local Government Finance Institute and Chairperson of the Forum, emphasized that the Academy’s role extends beyond delivering training programs. She underscored that the Philippine Tax Academy serves as a national platform where government leaders, practitioners, and partners come together to exchange ideas, strengthen collaboration, and transform innovation into practical solutions for better governance. She reminded participants that while technology transforms systems, it is knowledge, capable institutions, and committed public servants that ultimately transform nations.
Delivering the message of Secretary of Finance Frederick D. Go, Department of Finance Undersecretary Krystal Lyn T. Uy emphasized that digital transformation is not simply about adopting new technologies—it is about building better institutions that are more efficient, transparent, responsive, and trusted by the Filipino people. She highlighted the modernization initiatives underway across the DOF family—from strengthening international tax administration and customs modernization to advancing the implementation of the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA)—all contributing to a more integrated, data-driven, and citizen-centered public finance ecosystem. She likewise underscored the Philippine Tax Academy’s strategic role in developing the competencies and future-ready workforce needed to sustain these reforms.
Throughout the forum, distinguished speakers explored a broad range of topics, including transfer pricing and emerging international tax issues, digital customs modernization and trade facilitation, fiscal transparency, digital governance, real property tax administration modernization, artificial intelligence, e-invoicing, and global best practices in revenue administration. While each session addressed a different dimension of modernization, they all conveyed one common message: successful digital transformation requires more than technology — it demands visionary leadership, strong institutions, sound policies, interoperable systems, strategic partnerships, and continuous investment in people. Finally, the event concluded with an Integrated Leadership Panel, where government leaders and international experts affirmed that the future of tax and revenue administration will be shaped not only by innovation but also by collaboration, lifelong learning, and a shared commitment to delivering better public service for every Filipino.
The Conversation Continues
The PTA 16th Anniversary Forum was not intended to be a one-day event; it was the beginning of a continuing conversation on the future of tax, customs, and local government finance.
Over the coming days, the Philippine Tax Academy will share a special Knowledge Series featuring the key insights, practical lessons, and policy directions from each forum session. Through these publications, the Academy hopes to extend the valuable discussions beyond the forum and continue promoting learning, collaboration, and innovation among public servants, practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders.
Whether you joined us onsite, participated online, or are only now discovering the forum, we invite you to follow this series and become part of the continuing conversation as we collectively shape a more innovative, transparent, resilient, and future-ready tax and revenue administration for the Philippines.
📌Up first in the PTA Knowledge Series:
Session 1 – Transfer Pricing and Emerging International Tax Issues: Aligning Philippine Tax Administration with Global Standards
