The Association of Treasurers and Assessors of Bicol Region visited the Cebu Provincial Capitol to learn of Cebu’s best practices on Thursday, June 6.
Vice Governor Hilario Davide III, along with Capitol department heads, welcomed approximately 50 provincial, municipal, and city treasurers and assessors from the region during a lunch reception at the Social Hall.
The delegation was led by Rafael Kallos, Tabaco City treasurer and vice president of the association; as well as Geralden Purog, assessment officer of the Bureau of Local Government Finance Region 5.
During their visit, the delegates raised question and learned about the programs and projects of the Provincial Government, specifically in the areas of property assessment, tax-related concerns, financial management, property management, and tourism collection fees, among others.
“We are really very honored and really we learned so much from the best practices of Cebu on the assessors’ side, on the treasurers’ side, and even tourism side. We really like to replicate some of these things that we learned today,” Kallos told 𝗦𝘂𝗴𝗯𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀.
Purog said he was impressed at the innovations and strategies implemented by the Province of Cebu, the unquestioned leader among the country’s 82 provinces in terms of financial management and stability.
“With continuous development and innovation, and much more on the financial training that we received, we are so amazed by what you have applied in the Province,” Purog said.
Among other things, the delegates were able to appreciate Cebu’s implementation of ad valorem tax on idle lots; the strict implementation of property appraisal; digitalized collection system for tourism activities; as well as an updated tax map in the entire province.
Region 5 is composed of six provinces, namely: Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and Masbate; as well as and seven cities, namely, Legazpi, Naga, Iriga, Tabaco, Ligao, Sorsogon, and Masbate.
Benchmarking tours like this are not new to Cebu, as it is the perennial destination of LGU officials from all over the country who would like to learn and possibly implement such best practices that have made Cebu the premiere province in the country today. | BJR
