Northern Samar, among First-Class Provinces in the country based on new income classification policy

The Province of Northern Samar may now be considered as first-class province, Provincial Treasurer Allan Valenciano reported to the Provincial Development Council chaired by Governor Edwin Ongchuan, in its 4th Quarter Meeting last week.

Department of Finance Order No. 74-2024 provides for the First General Income Reclassification of provinces, cities, and municipalities based on the income ranges under Republic Act No. 11964 also known as the Automatic Income Classification of Local Government Units Act. 

Since 1998, Northern Samar was categorized as 2nd class province, registering an average annual income of P263.7 million. This income class remained for years, even as the province’s average annual income consistently increased. 

In 2019, under Governor Edwin Ongchuan’s term, the Province of Northern Samar’s average annual income was recorded at a hefty P1.586 billion, but Northern Samar held the same income classification.

In 2022, the average annual income of the province again significantly increased, pegged at P2.3 billion. The passage of the new law paves the way for the qualification of the province to a new income category, first class, according to Mr. Valenciano.

Along with the province, the 1st class municipalities in the province include Catarman, joined by Laoang and Mondragon which elevated from 2nd and 3rd class respectively. Second class municipalities are Catubig, Las Navas, Palapag, Pambujan, and San Isidro while under 3rd class category from the previous 4th class are Bobon, Gamay, Lavezares, Lope de Vega, San Roque, and Silvino Lubos.

Based on this classification, municipalities should meet the following average annual income:

1st Class - Two Hundred Milllion Pesos (P200,000,000.00) or more

2nd Class - One Hundred Sixty Million Pesos (P160,000,000.00) or more, but less than Two Hundred Million Pesos.

3rd Class- One Hundred Thirty Million Pesos (P130,000,000.00) or more, but less than One Hundred Sixty Million Pesos.

4th Class - Ninety Million Pesos (P90,000,000.00) or more, but less than One Hundred Sixty Million Pesos. 

This income classification will take effect on January 1, 2025, the DOF order declared.

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