The province of Laguna headed by Governor Teresita “Ningning” S. Lazaro continue to top the list as it garnered the top spot in the Commission on Audit (COA) Financial Performance of Local Government Units (LGU) for the fiscal year 2004. Based on the COA report published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) last August 20, 2005, the province of Laguna generated the highest gross income registering 1,367.3 (in million pesos), followed by Bulacan with 1,335.3 and Cebu with 1,255.7. Laguna’s municipalities, Biñan and Cabuyao also stamped their class as they placed second and third with gross incomes of 499.8 and 443.3 (in million pesos) behind San Juan, Metro Manila with 565.6 in the municipality category.

     Despite the cityhood of Laguna’s high earning municipalities, plus being the third province with the highest expenditures nationwide, Laguna was able to save 391.5 (in million pesos) just behind the 480.4 save by the province of Rizal (It may be recalled that Laguna is much bigger than Rizal with respect to land area, population and number of dependent municipalities). In the municipality category, three of Laguna’s municipalities also topped the list with the highest net income. Topping all the municipalities is Biñan with 195.7 (in million pesos), followed by Cabuyao (5th) with 106.0, and Siniloan (10th) with 51.2.

     In the flag raising ceremony held last August 22 at the Provincial Capitol Grounds in Sta. Cruz, Gov. Lazaro acknowledged the Laguna financial managers for the measures they have undertaken to make Laguna an ideal place for business and leisure regardless of the economic setbacks faced by the country. These include Provincial Treasurer Dr. Manuel E. Leycano, Jr., Provincial Assessor Mr. Noel M. Vera Cruz, Provincial Budget Officer Mrs. Marieta V. Jara, and former Provincial Accountant Mrs. Azucena C. Gacias. Gov. Lazaro also lauded the belt tightening and cost-cutting measures, which produced surplus. Aside from the supervision of the department heads, she attributed this success to the valuable cooperation and efficiencies of their subordinates and staff including the diligence of other employees of the Laguna Provincial Government. She stressed that this ‘teamwork’ is for the continuity of the basic services provided by the local government for its needy constituents. “KAYANG-KAYA ‘PAG SAMA-SAMA,” she said. # (PIO-Laguna)