25/08/2026
Congratulations LGU Balbalan Municipal Treasury Office headed by Leonore Lawagan Gunday Municipal Treasurer.
𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟕𝟑% 𝐭𝐨 𝟖𝟗%: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
BALBALAN, Kalinga — Good governance is often measured in big projects, new buildings, and visible improvements. But in Balbalan, one of the clearest signs of progress can be found in something less visible yet equally important: the way the municipality collects and manages its revenues.
The Municipal Treasury Office (MTO) of Balbalan has posted a remarkable improvement in its revenue collection performance, demonstrating how consistent work, taxpayer engagement, and sound treasury practices can translate into stronger local government finances.
The achievement was highlighted during the Local Treasury Operations Evaluation (LTOE) conducted by the Office of the Provincial Treasurer of Kalinga on August 19–20, 2026, covering treasury operations from January 2025 to July 31, 2026.
The evaluation examined key areas of local treasury operations, including revenue collection, disbursement, taxpayer-related programs, reporting and documentation, and internal control practices.
But beyond the figures and documents reviewed, the evaluation showed a more important story: Balbalan is steadily building a stronger culture of local revenue generation and taxpayer participation.
𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟕𝟑% 𝐭𝐨 𝟖𝟗% — 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝
The numbers tell the story.
Balbalan’s overall collection efficiency climbed from 73.39 percent in 2024 to 89.06 percent in 2025.
At the same time, actual collections from locally sourced revenues increased from ₱3.52 million in 2024 to ₱3.80 million in 2025, representing a 7.83-percent growth.
Behind the improvement were significant gains in some of the municipality’s major revenue sources.
Real Property Tax (RPT) collection efficiency rose from 44 percent in 2024 to 75 percent in 2025, while actual collections increased by 79.63 percent.
Business Tax (BT) performance was even more striking, with collection efficiency reaching 137 percent in 2025, up from 85 percent the previous year. Actual business tax collections also increased by 49.84 percent.
These figures represent more than percentages on a report.
They reflect the day-to-day work of treasury personnel, the cooperation of taxpayers, and the municipality’s continuing efforts to strengthen its own-source revenues.
𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐚𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
For Balbalan’s Treasury Office, improving collection is not simply about asking people to pay taxes.
It is also about making taxpayers understand why their taxes matter.
One of the practices recognized during the evaluation was the office’s implementation of tax awareness programs, which help residents understand their responsibilities and encourage timely and voluntary compliance with local tax obligations.
The office also implements an Incentives and Awards Program, recognizing taxpayers who comply with their obligations and encouraging others to do the same.
These programs help transform the relationship between the local government and its taxpayers—from one centered simply on collection to one built on awareness, participation, and shared responsibility.
And when more taxpayers participate, the municipality gains greater capacity to fund programs and services for its people.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬
The LTOE also looked beyond revenue collection.
Reporting, documentation, record-keeping, disbursement operations, and internal controls were among the areas assessed to ensure that treasury transactions are properly supported, accurately recorded, and compliant with prescribed requirements.
For Balbalan, the evaluation served not only as an assessment but also as an opportunity to identify areas where its treasury operations can become even stronger.
The Municipal Treasury Office was encouraged to continue improving its internal review and verification processes while sustaining the good practices it has already established.
𝐀 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭
The accomplishment of Balbalan’s Treasury Office may not be as visible as a newly completed road or public building, but its impact can reach every corner of the municipality.
Every peso properly collected and accounted for strengthens the local government’s ability to provide services.
Every taxpayer who understands the importance of compliance becomes part of building a stronger local government.
And every improvement in treasury management helps ensure that public resources are handled with greater efficiency and accountability.
The Office of the Provincial Treasurer of Kalinga commended the Balbalan Municipal Treasury Office for its continuing efforts to improve revenue collection and promote taxpayer awareness.
The office was encouraged to build on its gains and continue strengthening its treasury systems, disbursement processes, documentation, and internal controls.
𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐬𝐨 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞
Balbalan’s story is a reminder that progress does not always arrive with fanfare.
Sometimes, it begins quietly—with a taxpayer paying on time, a treasury employee doing the paperwork correctly, a program that explains where public money comes from, and a local government determined to improve its systems.
From 73.39 percent to 89.06 percent, Balbalan’s improved collection efficiency is more than a statistical achievement.
It is evidence that when local government workers and taxpayers work together, even the most routine functions of government can become powerful instruments for development.
For Balbalan, every improved collection is not simply money added to the local treasury. It is another step toward a municipality with stronger resources, greater accountability, and a better capacity to serve its people.
