Cotabato Province Achieves Debt-Free Status with ₱1.12 Billion Surplus in 2025
Governor Emmylou "Lala" Taliño-Mendoza delivered her State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at The Basket, Provincial Capitol Compound in Amas, Kidapawan City. The event was livestreamed on her Facebook page, where she proudly announced that Cotabato Province remained debt-free and recorded a substantial surplus of ₱1.12 billion for the year 2025.
Significant Revenue Growth Highlights Financial Success
In her detailed report, Governor Taliño-Mendoza revealed impressive financial achievements. Tax revenue collection surged by 145.57%, exceeding the ₱77 million target to reach ₱112.1 million. This increase was attributed to robust collections from real property, franchise, professional, and sand and gravel taxes, among other sources.
Non-tax revenue also saw a remarkable rise of 219.07%, climbing to ₱756.4 million compared to the ₱345.3 million target. This category includes income from permits, licenses, and business operations, showcasing diversified revenue streams for the province.
Detailed Financial Metrics and Asset Management
Real property tax collections specifically outperformed expectations, reaching ₱98.6 million against a ₱68 million target. Overall, total General Fund and Special Fund collections achieved 109.71% of the target, with actual collections amounting to ₱5.4 billion versus a ₱4.9 billion goal.
The province's financial position remains strong, with total assets valued at ₱17,607,215,498.68, total equity at ₱16,651,779,114.03, and total liabilities at ₱955,436,384.65. Additionally, bank savings of ₱4,838,766,060.47 generated interest earnings totaling ₱101,600,437.32, further bolstering fiscal health.
Collaborative Efforts and Strategic Management
Governor Taliño-Mendoza emphasized the critical role of collaboration in achieving these milestones. She credited the province's members of the House of Representatives for actively lobbying for funding and acknowledged the support of national line agencies. In her address, she explained, "If funds come in, the capitol's funds go to surplus because, instead of us implementing the projects, when their funds arrive, we realign them and revert them to the national general fund."
She concluded by highlighting the results of disciplined financial management, stating, "Clear results of efficient and disciplined financial management—Cotabato remains a debt-free province." This SOPA underscores Cotabato's commitment to fiscal responsibility and sustainable growth, setting a benchmark for provincial governance in the region.
