Agusan del Norte Governor Maria Angelica Rosedell Amante showcased the province’s significant accomplishments from 2022 to 2024 in her State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Tuesday afternoon, highlighting gains in income, social service programs and infrastructure development.

The province’s strong financial performance over the last three years is reflected in a notable 24-percent increase in its income, rising from PHP239 million in 2022 to PHP297 million in 2024.

“This growth was primarily driven by significant gains in tax collections, particularly real property taxes, which rose by PHP12 million or 26 percent, while service income from government operations also experienced consistent growth,” Amante said in her SOPA.

The address coincided with the weeklong 11th Sadow Festival and the commemoration of the province’s 58th founding anniversary.

The growing economic status, she added, also strengthened the province’s capacity to fund essential services and drive sustainable development.

“From a third-class province, Agusan del Norte is now a first-class province,” Amante said.

She cited the province-based Integrated Social Development Assistance Program (ISDAP), which provided medical and financial aid totaling PHP30.2 million to 3,925 indigents and individuals in crisis in 2024.

Through the ISDAP, the Amumang Agusanon Center was established as a digital platform that streamlined document processing for indigent patients at the provincial hospital, serving 1,168 patients to date.

The provincial government also conducted outreach missions in 22 remote villages last year, serving a total of 42,612 individuals. (PNA)