CEBU CITY--For the sixth straight year, the province of Cebu is the wealthiest province in the country.
According to the Commission on Audit’s (COA) 2019 Annual Financial Report on local government units (LGUs), Cebu posted a total assets of P203.9 billion.
At far second was Batangas with P20.793 billion, followed by Rizal (P20.275 billion), Davao de Oro (P20.099 billion), Bukidnon (P18.294 billion), Surigao del Norte (P16.684 billion), Negros Occidental (P15.901 billion), Leyte (P13.54 billion), Palawan (P13.036 billion) and Iloilo (P13.034 billion).
But for Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, the province's financial standing was not a form of recognition that Cebu should dwell on.
"It's a nice title but that's far as it goes, unless the people really feel the impact of being the riches province in the country. For me, I will not bask in that glory because that presents an even heavier challenge to make each and every Cebuano realize that their lives are better because Cebu is the richest province," said Garcia.
With the amount of assets at the province's disposal, Garcia said her administration faces a huge challenge to accomplish more.
"We have to accomplish much in terms of infrastructure, in terms of spurring back economic activity that has been devastated by COVID," said Garcia.
The province was able to complete some infrastructure projects in 2019 even with the onset of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) later in the year, Garcia said.
Garcia said water development projects were also ongoing in the towns of Carmen, Argao, Pinamungajan and Pilar, with more starting soon in other areas of the province.
"We will not stop until we give substance to our words and promises. Our target is that, we may not be finishing everything, but at least we can solve the water problem to a greater degree," said Garcia.