The Province of Cebu maintained its status as a first-class province with upgraded first-class municipalities and cities.
This translates into increased revenue collection, local autonomy, fiscal independence for local government units (LGUs), and more social services for the residents.
The Cebu Public Information Office announced on 7 December that aside from the province retaining its first-class status, the number of municipalities in the province that attained first-class income classification increased from eight to 25.
The cities of Talisay and Toledo were also upgraded to first-class from third-class designation in 2023.
Based on Department Order 074-2024 issued by the Department of Finance (DOF) and signed by Secretary Ralph Recto on November 5, but only made public recently, it stated: "From only eight LGUs last year that held this distinction, the figure has now grown to 25 municipalities, more than tripling last year's figure."
Asturias, Badian, Barili, Carmen, Compostela, Cordova, Dumanjug, Madridejos, Medellin, Moalboal, Oslob, Pinamungajan, San Fernando, San Francisco, San Remigio, Sibonga, and Tuburan were upgraded to the first-income class.
Meanwhile, Argao, Balamban, Bantayan, Consolacion, Daanbantayan, Dalaguete, Liloan, and Minglanilla retained their first-income class status.
An average annual income of P200 million or more is required for first-class municipalities. Fifth-class municipalities earn less than P90 million annually on average.
The number of fifth-class municipalities in Cebu Province decreased from nine in 2023 to just one this year.
Pilar municipality is the sole remaining fifth-class municipality.
The municipalities of Alcantara, Alcoy, Boljoon, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Ronda, Samboan, and Tudela have been upgraded to fourth-class status.
The upgrade of the cities of Talisay and Toledo brings the number of first-class income cities in Cebu to five, including the highly urbanized tri-cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, and Cebu.