Cebu is richest province

Cebu is richest province | Daily Tribune

Cebu has done it again. For the 11th straight year, the province has been confirmed by the Commission on Audit (CoA) as the richest in the Philippines, topping the 2024 ranking of all 82 provinces based on total assets and net worth.

According to CoA’s 2024 Annual Financial Report, Cebu posted a staggering P339.85 billion in total assets — far and away the highest in the country. That figure is up about 12 percent from 2023, when the province reported assets worth roughly P303 billion, reflecting both new investments and higher valuations of properties already on its books.

What makes the numbers even more striking is Cebu’s relatively light debt load. The province reported liabilities of just P3.43 billion, leaving it with a net worth of P336.42 billion. In simple terms, Cebu has enormous fiscal breathing room — money that can be channeled toward infrastructure, social services, and long-term development projects.

A major reason behind the jump in assets is the reappraisal of provincial properties. Once lots, buildings, facilities, and other fixed assets were reassessed based on current market values and properly reflected in CoA records, Cebu’s total assets surged even higher, further widening the gap between the province and the rest of the country.

The distance is clear when compared with other top-ranking provinces. Rizal came in second with total assets of about P44.10 billion and equity of P40.84 billion. Camarines Sur placed third with P33.23 billion in assets and P28.56 billion in net worth, followed by Batangas with P32.61 billion in assets and P26.74 billion in equity.

Rounding out the top tier were Cavite, Ilocos Sur, Davao de Oro, Iloilo and Negros Occidental — all posting assets in the P22–27 billion range. Even combined, these figures pale in comparison to Cebu’s balance sheet, with the province’s net worth alone towering several times over the total assets of many of its closest competitors.

It’s important to note that CoA’s ranking focuses strictly on audited assets and liabilities, not on income levels or quality of life. Being labeled the “richest province” doesn’t mean every Cebuano is wealthy — but it does signal strong fiscal capacity and the ability of the provincial government to fund programs, services and major projects.

Cebu’s long-running dominance has often been linked to its role as a major economic hub outside Metro Manila. With a broad tax base, extensive real estate holdings, and sustained public investment in infrastructure, health and education, the province continues to anchor economic growth in the Visayas.

The 2024 figures not only reinforce Cebu’s lead, but also highlight the growing gap between highly urbanized provinces and those with more limited resources.