“To be honest, I really don’t know what to make of it. We’re dependent on the National Tax Allocation (NTA),” Lacson said.
He said the report was based on the assets of the provinces.
“I will alsk our economic team because I’m sure they were made to submit certain reports,” the governor added.
“It gives us a good impression and it will bolster local investments and maybe from the outside,” the governor said, adding that among the variables [for the province’s good economic standing] is its peace and order.
Based on the COA’s Annual Financial Report on Local Governments, Negros Occidental had P18.025 billion worth of assets.
Cebu has remained the richest province with P215 billion in assets followed by Rizal and Batangas with P30.6 billion and P29.7 billion in assets, respectively.
Also among the richest provinces were Davao de Oro with P23.211 billion in assets; Bukidnon with P19.455 billion; Iloilo with P17.399 billion, Isabela with P16.419 billion; and Palawan with P16.109 billion.*