Cebu - The year 2008 was full of shining moments for the town of Liloan even if other local government units are facing financial problems.
Liloan Mayor Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco said the Liloanons were proud when their status was elevated from a second-class municipality to join the first-class category.
He said the town has created a business-friendly environment as they strengthened their tax collections efforts to augment its coffers that pushed Liloan to become the province’s top three in terms of excellent fiscal performance.
Based on the submitted financial statements, the Bureau of Local Government and Finance upgraded Liloan’s status together with the towns of Consolacion, Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Dalaguete, Balamban and Minglanilla.
The new classification of Liloan and the other upgraded towns took effect last July 29, 2008.
The classification of towns is based on income brackets: P55 million or more for first class, P45 million or more but less than P55 million for second class, P35 million or more but less than P45 million for third class, P25 million or more but less than P35 million for fourth class, P15 million or more but less than P25 million for fifth class, and below P15 million for sixth class.
Frasco also takes pride for their successful hosting of the Provincial Sports Festival where they also emerged as overall champion in the various competitions, edging out 44 other towns and eight component cities in Cebu.
Teams from Liloan also gave excellent performance in other sports tournaments: second place in the Gov. Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball Cup and first in the Cebu Mayors’ League-organized basketball league.
Frasco said the focus on youth sports development, which turned out to be fruitful for the municipal government, did not veer the administration’s focus on delivery of basic services and championing the people’s cause.
He added he made it sure that he visited a sitio or barangay to personally hear what the community has to say.
He always brings with him his legal team, the chiefs of executive departments, a medical crew and other staff members so questions and gripes are immediately acted upon.
The state of education, though primarily a national government responsibility, according to Frasco was improved by increasing the salaries of the teachers. Classrooms were also repaired, students availed of scholarships, and partnership with private entities was forged to upgrade the information technology capability of selected educational institutions. — Garry B. Lao/WAB (THE FREEMAN)