The Province of Benguet under the leadership of Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas has been named the leading province in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) for its revenue growth for Fiscal Year 2023.
The Bureau of Local Government Finance-Cordillera Administrative Region (BLGF-CAR), led by Acting Regional Director Mary Lou Gamboa, awarded Benguet for achieving the Highest Locally-Sourced Revenues Growth Rate for Fiscal Year 2023 last December 17, 2024, at the Hotel Supreme Convention Plaza in Baguio City.
During the ceremony, Benguet also received a Certificate of Commendation for being the first province in the Cordillera Administrative Region to complete and submit the electronic Statement of Receipts and Expenditures (eSRE) Report for the FY 2023 fourth quarter. The awards were received by the Provincial Treasury Office led by Imelda I. Macanes.
It can be recalled that Benguet was recognized nationally in October this year for ranking 10th nationwide for its Ratio of Local Source Revenues to Total Current Operating Income for FY 2023 and 7th for the same metric for FY 2022.
Recently, Benguet officially attained first-class province status. This milestone, announced in Department Order No. 074, Series of 2024, issued by the Department of Finance (DOF), recognizes provinces with an average annual regular income of at least ₱1.5 billion.
Under Governor Diclas’ leadership, Benguet had an annual regular income exceeding ₱2.04 billion in 2023, over ₱2.35 billion in 2022, and more than ₱1.94 billion in 2021. Previously, Benguet was classified as a second-class province.
Governor Diclas expressed gratitude for the recognition and commended the collective efforts of provincial officials, local government employees, and the people of Benguet. “These achievements show our values of ‘binnadang’ and dedication to fiscal responsibility, transparency, and innovative governance. Together, we are building a stronger and HEALTHIER Benguet,” he said.
