MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government on Monday said it registered more than P1.5 billion increase in its revenue collection, further boosting its status as the nation’s richest local government unit (LGU).

With the record high increase in the 2011 tax collection, Mayor Herbert M. Bautista is optimistic that Quezon City will be able to maintain its status as the country’s richest city.

Based on the 2011 collection report, City Treasurer Edgar Villanueva said that Quezon City’s income-generating offices were able to collect a gross collection of P12,957,078,076.64 for 2011 for an increase of P1,594,061,577.92 compared to 2010.

He added that there was an increase collection of 574 percent in the local sources and internal revenue allotment (IRA) category based on the 2010 to 2011 collection of P1,456,263,048.46 compared to the 2009-2010 record of P253,560,588.18.

In reference to local sources only, Villanueva said that there was a 310 percent increase with a P1,017,033,925.46 collection in 2010 to 2011 compared to the P327,921,094.18 collection in 2009-2010.

Overall, Villanueva reported a surplus of collection amounting to P751,289.279.50 ending 2011.

He explained that the total amount of the city’s gross collection included the newly-imposed idle land tax amounting to P75,959,144.76.

However, Villanueva stressed that the collection for socialized housing tax which was collected in advance for 2012 amounting to P1,549,052.61was not incorporated in 2011 gross tax collection of the city.

In 2010, the city government has a collection of P11,417,725,743.15 in gross collection including the P1,723,200,007.89 total trust fund, which is 3.76 percent or P413,582,743.15 in excess against its projected collectibles.

For the past years, Quezon City bested 17 cities in the National Capital region (NCR) including Makati, Manila and Pasig in terms of net income and net surplus.

Villanueva is hoping that 2012 will still be productive for the city government in terms of revenue collection to fund the Bautista administration’s projects and programs.

He urged the taxpaying public to beat the deadline for payment of business and real property tax to enjoy the discount offered by the city government.

The Quezon City Hall offices, particularly income-generating offices, are open from 7a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and even on Saturdays and Sundays to accommodate taxpayers paying their taxes and fees for the first quarter payment.