LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN – The collection fees of the Office of the Provincial Veterinary has increased by more than four fold since Gov. Ramon Guico III assumed office in 2022.
Records show that from the PhP11,485,619 collected in 2022, that increased to a whopping PhP48,3003,194 in 2024.
OPVet chief Dr. Arcely Robeniol, attributed the increase to the excellent management style of Governor Guico.
Despite the executive orders issued and the provincial tax ordinance enacted during the previous administration aimed to increase revenues, Robeniol said it was only under Gov. Guico’s term that strict and honest to goodness implementation was done.
“Those executive orders (issued) and provincial tax ordinance (enacted), were already in effect, but it was only this time, under our good governor, that these were implemented properly,” she said in a mix of Filipino and English.
Based on records, the OPVet had a collection of PhP10,130,761 in 2020; slightly increased to PhP11,407,417 in 2021; and, PhP11,485,619 in 2022;.
But in 2023, after a year in office of the current governor, this ballooned to PhP32,191,217 or almost three fold, and last year, it further increased to PhP48,003,194.
She added that the significant increase may also be the result of ‘change of work attitude among the department’s employees.
“There was a change of behavior, our employees showed more concern of their work,” she noted adding that they were inspired by the governor’s words and actions.
“We were then able to implement properly (the measures) our collection process and remit same to our provincial treasury office. (The added collection) now helps the provincial government in implementing projects,” she added.
OPVET is mandated to enforce all laws and regulations in all veterinary-related functions and quarantine activities toward a healthy animal populace by providing measures in the prevention and control of contagious and zoonotic diseases.
(Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)
