Cebu as Wealthiest Province in PH; Garcia Says She Needs to Double Her Efforts in Services

Cebu has once again emerged as the wealthiest Province in the Philippines according to the latest report from the Commission on Audit with total assets at P235.73 billion.

But the distinction, according to Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, is a huge challenge for her to perform better.

“It gets to be an even bigger challenge for me to translate that distinction into actual benefits for the Cebuanos. As I have always been saying what good would your status achieve as the richest province in the entire country if the Cebuanos do not feel it, especially those that are in need of help?” said Garcia.

She said that she is doubling her efforts to provide more services for her constituents because of the distinction.

“My greatest hope is to reduce the poverty incidence in the Province of Cebu,” she adds.

Garcia said that is why her administration is focused on infrastructure projects and programs that help Cebuanos help themselves and not through a dole out.

In the Annual Investment Plan for 2024, Cebu Province has earmarked some P3.5 billion for health facilities and another P3.5 billion for roads and bridges across the island.

Garcia also promised another project by November 15 for Cebuano students.

“No Cebuano child should go hungry while they are in school. So that will be a massive feeding program,” Garcia announced.

The provincial government will launch next month for all the public schools in cooperation with the parent-teacher associations for the cooking of porridge in all schools. More details of the program will be announced soon.

Just recently, Garcia announced that Cebu Province will be selling cheaper rice amid the rising cost of basic commodities across the country.

According to the latest report from the Commission on Audit, Cebu ranked as the wealthiest Province in the Philippines with assets totaling P235.73 billion as of 2022.

Rizal province ranked second at P35.59 billion while Batangas at P31.99 billion ranked third.

Davao de Oro is 4th place at P23.1 billion while Ilocos Sur is at 5th place with P21.56 billion in assets. (ZAG)