Locally sourced income: DoF recognizes 3 Metro Cebu cities

CEBU, Philippines - Three Metro Cebu cities were recently recognized by the Department of Finance and Bureau of Local Government Finance as among the top 20 leading cities nationwide in terms of generating locally sourced income in 2014.

Of the three cities, Lapu-Lapu landed in the 15th spot. Cebu City placed 17th spot while Mandaue City grabbed the 20th spot.

Jonji Gonzales, head of Lapu-Lapu City Government’s Public Information Office, said the recognition was because of the city’s efficient way in collecting taxes from taxpayers.

“We cannot claim to be one of the richest cities, but we have the most efficient hand in collecting taxes,” he said.

The city, according to DOF, has an annual regular income of P1,444,976,300 while its locally sourced income is P908,571,924 or 62.9 percent.

The DOF and BLGF released the top 20 cities in the national newspapers last January 13.

Gonzales said the DOF and BLGF have not released the 2015 results yet.

Cebu City recorded an annual regular income of P3,349,349,872 with locally sourced income of P2,011,401,571 or 60.1 percent.

Mandaue City ranked 20th with annual regular income of P1,221,879,118 billion and locally sourced income of P 714,493,617 million or 58.5 percent.

Being ahead of the two cities, Gonzales said Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza has been advocating good governance for five years.

“People are willing to pay their taxes. Kita man gyud sila nga ang ilahang taxes were put to use,” Gonzales added.

City Treasurer Elenita Catagcatag told reporters that they make the processing of business taxes easy.

“We have simplified the processing of the business tax so that the taxpayers will have an easy and convenient way of process,” she said, citing the one-stop shop at the City Hall.

“The taxpayers will no longer go to the different areas for signatures since the person assigned for the specific signature is already in one designated area,” she added.

Gonzales said the tourism sector, including the small and medium scale of businesses, has contributed to the city’s economic growth.

Radaza, on the other hand, said her effort to improve the economy of the city has paid off, as it inspires confidence among investors.  Last year, the city was also recognized by the DOF and BLGF for having the highest locally sourced income in Central Visayas from 2012 to 2014.

In 2014, the city launched its own branding as the “Historic Resort City” with branding colors of yellow, orange, blue and green. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud/NSA (FREEMAN)