Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the Bacolod City government will have a much larger budget in 2025 with the expected increase in its National Tax Allotment (NTA) share and local revenues.
The P1,895,045,644 NTA share of Bacolod City this year is expected to increase by 18 percent for an estimated P2.2 billion, or an increase by P341,108,215.
“In 2024, we are expecting P1.7 billion in local revenues,” Benitez also said in his state of the city address on Wednesday, July 3.
Based on data from the City Treasurer’s Office, in 2023, total revenue from local taxes, regulatory fees and other charges reached P1.4 billion, which is P500 million more than the collection in 2019, Benitez also said.
Benitez attributed the hike to increased collection efficiency.
The mayor said funds will be allocated to improve the Bacolod City command center, which will include a very efficient comprehensive CCTV network to improve security and peace and order.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, who attended the state of city address rites, said the improvement of the ease of doing business in Bacolod City is very welcome news as we would like to see more investors.
“That is one achievement that Bacolod can be proud of,” Lacson said.
The governor also lauded the ease of getting assistance for Bacolodnons now.*