Gov downplays COA report

Despite the impressive figures, Baricuatro said the numbers do not necessarily reflect the actual financial capacity of the provincial government to deliver services.

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"The appraisal of land was included. We already talked about this during the campaign," the governor said, as she pointed out that Cebu's valuation was largely driven by land appraisals. "We're the only one who did it. I don't know how they got away with it," she added

Baricuatro said conversations with fellow governors revealed that many local governments did not include land appraisals in their reported assets.

"Because I was just talking with the other governors. They didn't include the appraisal of lands in their assets. So, mao na nga taas kaayo ang Cebu," she said.

Cebu has held the top spot for 11 consecutive years, but Baricuatro stressed that much of the province's wealth exists only on paper.

"What's the point? We have all the assets, and we're not making use of them. Mao na wala na feel sa mga tawo ang atong pagka-rich kay naa ra diha ang lands, high-value properties nga wala gigamit," she said.