Ligaya treasures her Joy, raising revenues

BEAT this.

This woman raised her barangay's revenue collection from P12T to P22,300 in a year. And, at 42, barangay treasurer Ligaya Tadle did it as a very efficient one-woman tax collection team most local government units could never altogether assemble. This, observers believed is what cemented Tadle's way to win the prestigious regional The Outstanding Barangay Officials of the Year (TOBOY), an annual award for best performing barangay-based local government officials in Region 7. Tadle and another Boholano entry in the Sangguniang Kabataan category were the two of Bohol 's regional finalists in the annual search.

The two received regional awards and recognition during an awarding ceremony held at Ecotech Center in Lahug, Cebu City last December 19. Both Boholanos got a plaque of appreciation and a sum of P10T at the ceremonies witnessed by Department of Interior and Local Government (DOLG) Undersecretary Rene Burdeos, other key DILG officials and prominent Cebu City businessmen and entrepreneurs. Tadle's victory came as another premium for Catigbian's Poblacion Weste fiscal condition. This barangay sits on a gold mine of sorts. The barangay hosts the Catigbian Public Market, the town's commercial district with a good number of business establishments and a highly residential area. For years, the barangay has disregarded its vast treasure trove that the officials have to literally scrape the bottom for its hard earned revenues.

Until 42 year old Ligaya Tadle along with the Barangay Council determined that barangay may just have the golden opportunity to dig what is under them. As treasurer, Tadle started massive tax information drives that would literally bring her on a house to house campaign for community taxes and real properties. Moreover, when chances present, she would guest purok meetings to explain the need for raised revenues. Then, with the help of an enabling and supportive council, her efforts soon bore fruit. That translated to more fiscal capacity in her barangay's cash box.

Married to Alejandro Tadle and blessed with 2 teen-aged children, Ligaya could have found the joy in what she was doing, for she had been consistently winning the municipal search for barangay officials since 2004. In fact, having been appointed to office since July 12, 1997 and has been serving for nine years has helped her mold her desire to better her service for her community, she admitted. Asked what her secret is, she said it is sincerity in service, dedication for work and the joy of finding ones vocation as that which motivated her. Asked for her next goal, she immediately asked, “Is P30T for this year too ambitious?

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