Surigao Norte
province hailed as country's 8th wealthiest province
BUTUAN CITY -- The Commission on Audit (COA)
Region XIII conferred the status of the province of Surigao del Norte as the
8th wealthiest province in the Philippines.
Basallaje explained that the basis for ranking the wealthiest provinces in the country is the assets reflected in their financial statement.
"The province's assets are more or less worth PhP15.7 billion, which is truly substantial. We have 87 provinces in the country and imagine, Surigao del Norte is among the top 10 wealthiest provinces," he said.
Basallaje also commended the leadership of Provincial Governor Francisco 'Lalo' Matugas and the contribution of all Surigaonons.
"We have to protect these assets and I encourage everyone to join together in making these assets grow to further achieve the goals of the province. This is the only way to provide the basic services to the less fortunate," he said.
The official also said that COA, which has been interceded as the watchdog, is now an enabler partner as well to help government agencies in carrying out their respective mandates. (Surigao del Norte Provincial Information Office/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
