ILOILO – The Municipal Assessor’s Office of Tupi, South Cotabato, is turning to Iloilo Province’s successful fiscal practices for inspiration, as part of its four-day strategic planning and benchmarking activity held from October 23 to 26, 2025.
Led by Municipal Assessor Lanie Glima, the delegation studied Iloilo’s revenue-generation framework and property tax management systems — approaches credited for making the province rank 10th nationwide in local source revenues in 2024, according to the Department of Finance – Bureau of Local Government Finance.
“This engagement in Iloilo is more than just a learning trip — it’s a commitment to advancing fiscal responsibility and effective property tax management for a prosperous future,” Glima said.
Iloilo’s record of achievement was recently recognized during the 2025 Conference of Assessors, Treasurers, and Technical Personnel, where it garnered awards for:
* Highest Collection Efficiency across four locally sourced revenue streams
* Top Local Revenue Generation in business tax and other taxes
* Significant Growth in Taxable Assessed Value, and
* Unprecedented Increase in Real Property Units
“These successes represent a gold standard that Tupi is eager to emulate as they aim to enhance local fiscal policies and community engagement,” Glima added.
The South Cotabato delegation also paid a courtesy call on OIC-Governor and Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, joined by Provincial Assessor Rema Calderon and Assistant Provincial Assessor Marissa Daquilanea.
The meeting strengthened inter-local government cooperation and opened doors for future partnerships on fiscal reforms.
With many of South Cotabato’s residents speaking Hiligaynon, Glima noted that the shared language and culture made the exchange more meaningful and collaborative.
The benchmarking trip, she said, “marks a transformative step for the Municipal Assessor’s Office of Tupi,” setting a course for enhanced local revenues and sustainable community development back home./PN