The guy should've just gone to BIR's web site, which, according to them, now accepts applications for new TIN numbers. According to the site, The TIN on the Web caters to taxpayers classified as PROFESSIONALS, which are persons in the practice of profession or calling, such as those engaged in computer, creative or performing arts, engineering, health, law, social science, teaching, personnel and human resource development, finance and sales, writing and journalism and others.

I don't know if the servic is any good though, because I already have a TIN.

If you're interested, the URL is https://ereg.bir.gov.ph/