Cebu tops CV in property revenue for 4th year

CEBU, Philippines —  The Province of Cebu has once again emerged as the top-performing province in Central Visayas in revenue generation from assessment operations, marking its fourth consecutive year at the top.

Provincial Assessor Michelle Languido was also named the region’s top assessor during the Pasidungog sa Siete awarding ceremony held Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

From 2021 to the first quarter of 2025, the market value of real properties in Cebu surged by 85 percent, increasing from ?335 billion to ?621.5 billion. Meanwhile, the assessed value—which serves as the tax base—rose by 64 percent, from ?59.7 billion to ?97.9 billion.

The recognition was conferred by the Bureau of Local Government Finance in Central Visayas (BLGF-7) under the Department of Finance.

In an exclusive interview with The Freeman, Languido attributed the office’s consistent success to streamlined operations and a strong mandate to enhance revenue collection.

She underscored the Provincial Assessor’s Office’s central role in income generation, describing its work as the fiscal backbone of the province.

“Four consecutive years we got the title, consistent because atong mandate is to enhance and improve the collection and the appraisal and assessment of the RPT,” said Languido.

Cebu also recorded ?431.9 million in revenue from transfer taxes between 2021 and early 2025. These taxes, generated through transactions such as deeds of sale and donation, are processed daily by the Provincial Assessor’s Office.

Languido emphasized that the revenues support vital public services and development initiatives. “Tungod sa mga na generate na revenue, dako nag tabang sa mga project sa government,” she said.

From only eight first-class municipalities in the past, Cebu now has 25, a shift that Languido partly credited to years of consistent and accurate property assessments. “Rich siya (Cebu Province) and mao na ang legacy,” she mentioned.

She said collaboration played a key role in the success. An executive order from Governor Gwendolyn Garcia encouraged coordination among municipal assessors, treasurers, engineers, and planning officers to ensure proper property appraisals across towns.

Despite limited manpower, the office expanded its operations by empowering municipal assessors to conduct fieldwork.

“Despite being undermanned, we make multi-tasking gud…Rather than focusing only sa mga office-based nga mga trabaho, they go to the fields and appraise newly discovered nga mga buildings,” she said.

Her office also coordinated closely with barangay officials to monitor property improvements and update valuations. While 47 plantilla positions are available, only 14 are filled with permanent staff, aided by six casual and seven job order workers.

Languido acknowledged the staffing limitations but emphasized their productivity. “It is not a question of pila mo sa opisina… what is important is focus gyud,” she said.

Languido began her government career in 2003 under then-Governor Pablo “Pabling” Garcia and started in the Engineering Department. “I came from a very humble beginning here in this office,” she recalled.

She transitioned to the Assessor’s Office, initially handling lot appraisals for the 93-1 land program and serving on its technical working group. She later became the only individual in the province at the time to pass the Real Estate Board Exam for appraisers, leading to her promotion as Assistant Provincial Assessor and eventually Provincial Assessor.

She hopes her journey will inspire others in public service. “I hope sa magsunod namo maka maintain and makatabang sa province because we are serving not one person but the entire province of Cebu," she said.

Looking ahead, Languido is advocating for the implementation of the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA), which promotes science-based schedules of market value. She stressed that such reforms must involve collaboration with national agencies such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), which also relies on property data.

She voiced disapproval over political maneuvering and internal discord, stressing that government offices should prioritize unity and service delivery.

Languido also expressed appreciation for the dedication of municipal assessors and reminded them that their duty is to the province as a whole. Without their role, she said, local governments would struggle to collect property taxes.

She assured the public that the Provincial Assessor’s Office is ready to support the incoming administration and that the province’s current financial strength offers a solid foundation for future initiatives.

In closing, Languido said true public service is not about awards, but about impact. For her, the true legacy lies in the billions collected and returned to the people of Cebu. (CEBU NEWS)