The Province of Cotabato remains debt-free as reflected in fiscal year 2024, according to Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño Mendoza during her State of the Province Address (SOPA) on March 18, 2025.
“Nanatiling walang utang ang probinsiya ng Cotabato,” Mendoza said.
The governor said that the actual collection for the tax revenue reached P100,759,356.18 and exceeded the estimated income of P77,025,000 while for the non-tax revenue or regulatory fees, the province recorded P559,520,376.52 actual collection which was higher than the estimated income of P306,220,000 target revenue for 2024.
For the Special Education Fund, which came from the Real Property Tax collection, Mendoza reported that it increased to P87,724,709.02 actual income from the P64 million budget estimate.
Mendoza announced that overall, the province achieved an increase in the total general fund and special fund of P4,524,370,935.58 actual collection versus P4,199,306,829 target income in 2024.
Mendoza disclosed that the trust fund or assistance for indigent patients from the Department of Health (DOH) and the Social Pension Program for senior citizens of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) amounted to P1.1 billion.
She highlighted that approximately P853 million, or 20% of the National Tax Allotment, is set aside for economic activities including creating multipurpose structures, purchasing different road construction equipment, and concreting provincial and barangay roads.
The governor also announced a surplus of P769 million in 2024, demonstrating the soundness of the financial condition, with total assets rising to P15.9 billion and total equity at P15.1 billion, along with reduced liabilities of P834 million.
“Sa pamamahala ng kaban ng bayan kasabay ng masusing proseso at istratehiya sa pangongolekta ng buwis at ibang bayarin na nagbunga ng mas malakas na financial status sa lalawigan,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza presented that for 2024, the province recorded an interest income of P78 million, generated from a P2.4 billion special savings or cash fund with the Landbank and Development Bank of the Philippines-Kidapawan.
She also said that as part of the overall reassessment of evaluation and property classification initiative, the total assessed worth of properties reached P26.4 billion.
“Ito ay nagpapatunay ng pagdami ng ari-arian, paglago ng lalawigan, matatag at kakayahan ng kapitolyo upang matugunan ang lahat ng bayarin at mapondohan ang susunod pang mga programa. We will continue to uphold the Serbisyong Totoo brand of governance through fiscal management,” Mendoza said.
