Cotabato remains debt-free, reports Gov. Emmylou J. Taliño-Mendoza

Judy Quiros

Editor

posted on 3 weeks ago — updated on 1 second ago

110
views

KIDAPAWAN CITY - “Cotabato is a debt-free province,” Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza declared during her 2026 State of the Province Address (SOPA) on March 24 at The Basket, Provincial Capitol Compound in Amas, Kidapawan City.

She said the province’s debt-free status reflects “good and disciplined financial management,” which also resulted in a budget surplus in 2025.

The province posted a ₱1.2-billion surplus, driven by a145.57 percent increase in total local tax revenues from a ₱77-million target to an actual ₱112.1 million collected from real property, franchise, professional, sand and gravel, and other sources.

Non-tax revenues also surged by 119 percent, rising from a ₱345-million target to ₱756.4 million in actual collections from permits, licenses, and other local sources.

Real property tax collections grew by 145.02 percent, boosting the Special Education Fund from a ₱68-million target to ₱98.6 million. These additional funds were allocated to Department of Education programs, including school construction.

Meanwhile, the province’s total general and special funds increased by 109.71 percent, from a ₱4.9-billion target to ₱5.4 billion in actual collections.

Underscoring its strong fiscal position, Cotabato Province received the Outstanding and Exemplary Fiscal Performance Award for 2024 from the Bureau of Local Government Finance and the Regional Association of Local Treasurers and Assessors.

The province also earned multiple recognitions, including:

2nd place in locally sourced revenue collection (₱666,863,153.87)
2nd place in locally sourced revenue per capita (₱410.93)
2nd place in locally sourced revenues as a share of total current operating income (14.74%)
3rd place in social and economic expenditures per capita (₱823.03)

Overall, the province generated a total trust fund of ₱985.6 million, which has been allocated to various programs, including the Social Pension Program and other economic initiatives, Mendoza added.

The SOPA mainly highlighted the Provincial Government’s “womb-to-tomb” development approach which is a comprehensive and inclusive framework of programs and services designed to meet the needs of every Cotabateño at every stage of life.

Anchored on the principle of Serbisyong Totoo—responsive and people-centered governance—this approach ensures that no sector is left behind.

"Sa ating lalawigan, walang dapatmapagkaitan at mapabayaan" , the lady governor said. Judy Quiros