Effective January 1, 2025, Romblon province and 13 of its municipalities will rise in income classification as approved by the Department of Finance (DOF). Currently classified as a third-class province, Romblon will become a second-class province under the new guidelines.
According to the DOF, a second-class province is defined as having an average annual regular income of P900 million or more but less than P1.5 billion.
Romblon Governor Jose Riano attributed the achievement to collective efforts that have brought significant progress to disaster preparedness, health services, tourism, heritage development, and overall economic growth in the province.
Related Story: Comelec adds 2 provincial board seats in Romblon for 2025 polls
Among the municipalities, Odiongan is set to be reclassified as a first-class municipality with an average annual regular income of P200 million or more. The municipality of Romblon will move up to the second-class category.
Other towns experiencing an upward shift include Cajidiocan, Looc, San Agustin, and San Fernando, which will be classified as third-class municipalities. Alcantara, Calatrava, Magdiwang, San Andres, and Santa Fe will be elevated to fourth-class municipalities. Meanwhile, the municipality of Concepcion will be classified as a fifth-class municipality with an average annual regular income of less than P90 million.