BOHOL 's tax collection is top in Central Visayas for the third quarter of 2009, This after OIC Region 7 Director Lorna Atega of the Department of Finance' (DOF) Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) congratulated Gov. Erico Aumentado for posting a 119.28 percent collection efficiency, besting Cebu, Oriental Negros and Siquijor provinces. In a letter with a matrix for his easy referral, Atega said Bohol collected P128,713,381.62 against the target of P107,908,919.20 in basic real property tax and Special Education Fund (SEF). She congratulated Aumentado for the high tax ratings that landed Cebu at second place only with an efficiency rating of 89.53 percent. Siquijor was a close third at 89.45 percent while Oriental Negros drew last at 87.45 percent.

The four provinces maintained the same berths in the annual collection efficiency ratings although business-rich Cebu posted the highest actual collection at P169,965,425.90. Oriental Negros followed at P52,881,615.71 and Siquijor, P9,517,938.80. Cebu 's capital, Cebu City , edged out all the other 15 cities in the region with an actual total collection of P529,244,940.25 that earned it a 120.03 percent collection efficiency ranged against its 3rd quarter target of P440,916,416.80. Bohol 's capital, Tagbilaran, managed only the eighth place at 94.25 percent, with the same rank for its actual total collections of P32,836,113.90 for the quarter.

Atega attributed Bohol 's achievement to “the commendable efforts of the offices of the Provincial Treasurer and Assessor – and to all local officials” in attaining the province's revenue target under the Revenue Generation Program. In turn, Aumentado attributes the province's success in the dedicated efforts of Provincial Treasurer Eustaquio Socorin and Provincial Assessor Edgardo Orig and their men. They have formed a tax campaign team, using jingles, skits and good old explanation to property owners why they should pay taxes. The explanation may be over the radio – or in the field. As such, the team spends much time outside of the office, but the efforts have apparently paid off. Aumentado expressed elation over the development, especially that for the first time in the province's history, its budget has breached the P1 billion mark.