CITY OF MALOLOS–Bulacan had collected P1.72 Billion worth of local taxes during 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the number one province in the country to achieve this during the worst months making the province to keep a steadfast economy.

Gov. Daniel Fernando said on Monday’s distribution of Christmas gifts to Persons With Disability (PWD) and LGBTQ communities that the economy of Bulacan did not plummet amid the worldwide economic down turn due to nearly two years restrictions and lockdown brought by COVID-19.

Last week, Fernando received the Top 1 Performing Province in Local Tax Collection for 2020 by the Bureau of Local Government Finance of the Department of Finance.

Bulacan’s locally sourced revenue amounted to P1.72 billion which came from collected real property tax (RPT), local business tax (LBT) and other local taxes, regulatory fees and user charges, and receipts from the operations of local economic enterprises.

Fernando said the commendable collected amount of the taxes is the result of the diligent effort of the Capitol’s assessors and treasurers office to collect what is due to the provincial government.

He explained that BulakeƱos fulfillment of their obligations during crisis is a balancing act to help the government strengthens its capabilities in addressing the ardent call of the times particularly the people’s needs.

“That is balancing the service. What government can do to its people during the pandemic and what the people can do for the government during the pandemic. If you remember, since the pandemic strike on March 2020, we conducted meetings with our task force and we also concentrated on the economy of our province. The assessor’s office assessed the taxes needed to be paid by our people and appeal to pay them as part of sustaining our capabilities in responding to the health emergency,” he said.

“Ano naman ang magagawa ng tao ss govt. Nagawa ninyo ang inyong tungkulin, responsibility natin na magbayad ng buwis kaya naman hindi sumubasob ang ekonomiya ng Bulacan sa kabila ng pandemya. Ngayon 2021, mayroon tayong more than 7,000 new businesses,” he added.

Fernando said the recognition is far more overwhelming as BulakeƱos have showed their best during the worst times. He said Bulacan was only Top 5 in 2019 and leaped to top 1 last year.

He also attributed the high response of the people in paying their taxes despite the pandemic to the above level trust on the leadership of current officials. “Tumugon silang magbayad ng buwis sa panahong kailangang kailangan ito ng ating pamahalaan dahil na rin nagtitiwala sila sa ating tapat at malinis na pamamahala, na makakarating sa mga nangangailangan ang akolekta nating buwis”.

Fernando said the P1.72 billion was also used in the pandemic response wherein two molecular laboratories were constructed and put up, the Bulacan Infection Control Center, including the nearly P150 million for the burial assistance to more than 4,000 COVID-19 deaths, continued medical needs and supply to poor people and vaccination preparations and logistics expenses.

Bulacan bested 80 provinces. Others on top 10 list are are Bataan, Rizal, Pampanga, Quezon, Batangas, Iloilo, Bukidnon, Pangasinan, and Cavite.

Moreover, the town of Marilao was also hailed as one of the top 10 municipalities in highest nominal locally sourced revenues for fiscal year 2020 with P473.95.

According to the Bureau of Local Government Finance, their annual performance target for local treasurers pertain only to taxing mandates of LGUs, such as RPT, LBT and other local taxes, regulatory fees and user charges, and receipts from economic enterprises, and excludes collections from other receipts or other general income of LGUs, such as interest income, rebates, sale of assets or properties, and other non-recurring local income.