Service—not ceremony—took center stage as Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Atty. Charlito Martin R. Mendoza represented President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Handog ng Pangulo 2026 held on September 14 at the Leyte Convention Center.

Mendoza did not merely show up.

He brought with him the message that government service must reach the people where they live, work and struggle—not remain confined to government offices.

Representing the President, the BIR chief underscored that the most meaningful gift on the occasion of the President’s birthday is the opportunity to serve Filipinos directly.

“Sapagkat para sa Pangulo, ang pinakamahalagang handog sa araw na ito ay ang pagkakataong makapaglingkod sa sambayanang Pilipino.”

That message set the tone for an activity designed to bring multiple government services directly to Leyteños.

With Mendoza were officials of BIR Revenue Region No. 14 – Eastern Visayas, the Provincial Government of Leyte, and representatives of participating government agencies.

And the government service menu was not small.

The event delivered assistance covering employment and livelihood, healthcare, agricultural support, assistance to small entrepreneurs, scholarships and educational aid, services for OFWs and their families, and other frontline government services.

MENDOZA: SERVICE MUST BE FELT

For Commissioner Mendoza, the significance of the event went beyond the traditional birthday celebration.

It was about making government visible and accessible to ordinary citizens.

“This is perhaps the best way to celebrate the President’s birthday—to be with our fellow Filipinos and deliver to them the services they need,” Mendoza said.

He also expressed appreciation to President Marcos for allowing the BIR to become part of the nationwide initiative.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos dahil naging bahagi ang BIR ng Handog ng Pangulo at nabigyan tayo ng pagkakataong makapaglingkod nang direkta sa ating mga kababayan.”

THE BIR FRONTLINE

The Leyte engagement also put the spotlight on the role of the BIR beyond its traditional image as a revenue-collecting agency.

Tax administration ultimately supports government programs—and bringing government services closer to communities reinforces the connection between public revenue and public service.

Under Mendoza’s leadership, the BIR’s participation in Handog ng Pangulo placed its personnel directly alongside other government agencies in responding to the needs of citizens.

The message from Leyte was unmistakable:

Government service is not supposed to be distant. It is supposed to be felt.

And in Palo, Leyte, Commissioner Atty. Charlito Martin R. Mendoza made sure the BIR was there when the government came knocking.

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