The Negros Occidental provincial government’s local revenue generation for 2023 soared to a staggering 198 percent of its target, amounting to P1.2 billion, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Tuesday, August 20.
The previous period’s estimated target collection was P635.9 million, Lacson said in his State of the Province Address (SOPA) delivered during the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s session at the Social Hall of the provincial Capitol in Bacolod City.
The Provincial Treasurer’s Office has exceeded expectations in revenue generation for 2023 and the first semester of 2024, Lacson said in his about one hour and 30 minutes SOPA.
For the 1st semester of 2024, the collection efficiency of local sources stands at 103 percent, he said.
This indicates a strong and consistent performance with actual collection amounting to P 713.3 million compared to the same period last year with an estimated target collection amounting to P 694 million, he said.
“It proves that the revised revenue measures have been effective, efficient, equitable and sustainable,” he said.
Real Property Tax (RPT) collections have also been particularly impressive with remarkable collection efficiency rates that exceed the established local target, Lacson said.
“We surpassed the local target with a 111 percent collection efficiency in 2023, generating a total income of P179.8 million”, he said.
“This achievement is a direct result of our diligent efforts to optimize tax assessments and streamline collection processes,” he said.
Focus on Sand and Gravel (SAG) tax collection has also paid off as the revenues significantly increased by 129 percent in 2023 reaching P50.2 million, compared to the previous year’s P 21.8 million, he said.
The province has remitted a Sand and Gravel share to cities and municipalities totaling P14.9 million in 2023, and P12 million for the 1st semester of 2024, he said.
The SAG shared remittance to different barangays in 2023 was P20.2 million, and P10.1 million for January to June, 2024, Lacson added.
The provincial government also remitted P52.8 million in 2023 and P17.5 million for the first half of 2024 in Real Property Tax shares to different municipalities, he added.
The provincial government also had a total collection of P11.1 million in payments from housing projects at Paglaum Village, Panaad Village, Capitol Kabugwason Homes, the Minoyan Resettlement Site, and Minoyan Farm Lots, he said.
An additional income of P1.5 million was generated through the public auction of unserviceable vehicles, airconditioners and scrap materials, including tires and batteries, Lacson said.
As for our Provincial Assessor’s Office, we have a significant increase in the Taxable Assessed Value and Assessed Real Property Units, which contributed to the local government’s revenue generation, he said.
Negros Occidental was awarded by the Bureau of Local Government Finance Region 6 as Top 1 among all provinces in the region with the highest increase in the assessed real property units, which is 11.34 percent for the year 2023, Lacson said.
It was also No. 2 among all provinces in the region with the highest increase in the taxable assessed value at 15.67 percent, he said.
Lacson, who outlined the numerous gains of his administration, thanked Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, the provincial board members, mayors and provincial government department heads and employees for their support.
“We must strive for a government that is not only honorable but also truly effective – a government that delivers on its promises, strengthens families, upholds law and order, creates jobs, nurtures our youth, provides for a secure retirement, and ensures that essential services are within reach for everyone,” Lacson said.
“True development and progress are those that touch everyone, especially those who need it most,” he added.
Ferrer said they appreciate Lacson’s commitment to transparency and the emphasis on collaborative efforts to address the needs of the Negrosanons.
“Moving forward, I encourage continued engagement with local communities and local government officials to ensure that our strategies align with grassroots aspirations and realities,” Ferrer said.*