Cotabato Governor Governor Emmylou Mendoza highlighted Province of Cotabato’s P1.1-billion surplus for 2025 and remained debt-free status, underscoring strong fiscal discipline in her State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Tuesday at The Basket inside the Provincial Capitol Compound in Barangay Amas, Kidapawan City.
Mendoza stressed the province’s improving financial position and robust revenue performance.
“Malinaw ang resulta ng mahusay at disiplinadong pamamahala sa ating pananalapi, nananatiling probinsiyang walang utang ang Cotabato,” Mendoza said.
According to Mendoza, the province exceeded key revenue targets, driven by stronger local tax collection and higher non-tax income.
She reported that the total tax revenue from local sources rose by 145.57 percent, from a P77-million target to an actual collection of P112.1 million, sourced from real property, franchise, professional, and sand and gravel taxes, among others.
Mendoza said non-tax revenues surged by 219.07 percent to P756.4 million, surpassing the P345.3-million target, largely from permits, licenses, and business income.
The governor also said improved real property tax collection also boosted the Special Education Fund, which grew by 145.02 percent from P68 million to P98.6 million supporting Department of Education (DepEd) programs, including school construction.
She said, overall, the province achieved a 109.71-percent accomplishment rate in total general and special funds, with P5.4 billion in actual collections exceeding the P4.9-billion target.
“Patunay ng ating responsableng paggamit ng pondo ang pagkilalang Outstanding Exemplary Fiscal Performance for the Year 2024 mula sa Bureau of Local Government Finance at Regional Association of Local Treasurers and Assessors,” she said.
Mendoza stated that the province also secured multiple recognitions, including second place in locally sourced revenue collection, locally sourced revenues per capita, and locally sourced revenues relative to total current operating income, as well as third place in social and economic expenditures per capita.
She added that the provincial government generated P985.6 million in trust funds to support social programs.
“Sa likod ng bawat programang inihahatid para sa bawat pamilyang Cotabateño ay ang dedikasyon ng 2,304 workforce ng kapitolyo,” she said.
She emphasized that the province’s strong financial standing reflects its capacity to sustain development initiatives.
“Pinagtitibay ng ating financial position ang kakayahan ng pamahalaan. Umabot sa P17 billion ang total assets ng probinsya, at P16 billion ang total equity habang bumaba sa P900 million ang total liabilities,” Mendoza added.
The governor attributed these gains to disciplined fiscal management, improved revenue generation strategies, and sustained investments in priority programs and public services.
