BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The inclusion of Negros Occidental as among the top 10 richest provinces in the country gives a good impression to local and foreign investors, disclosed Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday.
In its 2020 Annual Financial Report on Local Governments, the Commission on Audit (COA) ranked Negros Occidental as 6th richest province in the country, with assets worth P18.025 billion.
Lacson, however, admitted that he does not know “what to make of it,” stressing that Negros Occidental is reliant on its National Tax Allotment share.
Hopefully, that will booster our investments, whether locally or from outside investors, the governor said, apparently referring to the inclusion of Negros Occidental among the 10 richest provinces.
Lacson also said the peace and order is a very important factor for investors to invest in a certain locality.
Topping the list of the richest provinces in the country is Cebu, with assets of P215 billion.
The 215-page audit report covered the financial statements of 1,676 LGUs including 81 provinces, 146 cities, 1,488 municipalities, 22,680 barangays and the Bangsamoro Government*
