TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN | The Department of Trade and Industry Region 2 (DTI R2), in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government Regional Office 2 (DILG R2), held the 6th Cagayan Valley Regional Competitiveness Forum and 2022 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) Awarding Ceremony, with the overarching theme of “Sustainable and Competitive Cagayan Valley: Bridging the Gap and Enabling Local Institutions”, at Go Hotels Plus, Tuguegarao City, and via Zoom on 01 December 2022.
This forum focused on the recognition of the region’s local government units that exhibited exemplary performance in the CMCI ranking and were able to make it to the top 30 in this year’s CMCI Survey. It also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the LGUs and the academe, particularly in the areas of R&D and innovation.
In her opening message, DTI R2 Leah Pulido Ocampo highlighted the improvement of the region in the 2022 CMCI ranking based on the results of this year’s CMCI, as follows:
• 58 or 62% of the participating LGUs in the region saw an increase in their competitiveness ranking;
• 20 LGUs landed a spot in the top 30 of the most competitive LGUs in their respective categories, as well as in the most improved category;
• 38 awards were given to 20 LGUs this year, compared to 18 awards and 11 LGUs last year.
“We must emphasize that with a culture of R&D and innovation among us, coupled with the vibrancy and aggressiveness of our academic institutions in these areas, LGUs will be more empowered to create and develop tangible projects and programs that address a range of social and economic issues within their localities,” RD Leah added.
On the other hand, Dr. Orlando F. Balderama, Vice President for Research and Development, Extension, and Training of the Isabela State University, discussed the importance of R&D in scaling up the competitiveness of LGUs. He presented the R&D initiatives of ISU and their various programs and projects that empower LGUs.
“We dream for our LGUs. We dream to ease this time’s economic hardship for our people,” said DILG R2 RD Jonathan Paul M. Leusen, Jr., as he urged every LGU to work for a better Cagayan Valley. He also mentioned that research and development must be prioritized for the Cagayan Valley region to improve.
The following are the awardees in the different categories:
Component Cities
Tuguegarao City:
Top 20 Most Improved LGU
Top 20 Economic Dynamism
Top 4 Government Efficiency
Top 16 Infrastructure
Top 4 Resiliency
Top 6 Innovation
Top 7 Over-All Most Competitive LGU
City of Ilagan:
Top 15 Over-all Most Improved LGU
Top 20 Government Efficiency
Top 16 Innovation
Top 30 Most Competitive
Cauayan City:
Top 4 Most Improved LGU
Top 15 Innovation
Santiago City:
Top 30 Government Efficiency
Top 27 Resiliency
1st to 2nd Class Municipalities
Bambang:
Top 14 Most Improved
Solano:
Top 30 Economic Dynamism
3rd to 4th Class Municipalities
Gamu:
Top 18 Most Improved LGU
Quezon:
Top 19 Most Improved LGU
Kayapa:
Top 23 Most Improved LGU
San Guillermo:
Top 30 Most Improved LGU
Maconacon:
Top 4 Government Efficiency
Allacapan:
Top 17 Most Competitive LGU
Top 21 Economic Dynamism
Top 26 Innovation
Kasibu:
Top 11 Government Efficiency
Cabatuan:
Top 30 Economic Dynamism
5th to 6th Class Municipalities
San Isidro:
Top 7 Economic Dynamism
Top 14 Most Improved LGU
Saguday:
Top 7 Government Efficiency
Top 21 Innovation
Top 27 Over-All Most Competitive LGU
Luna:
Top 27 Economic Dynamism
Top 28 Over-All Most Competitive LGU
Basco:
Top 9 Economic Dynamism
Top 24 Infrastructure
Isabela was awarded Top 27 Most Competitive Province and Echague was also awarded as Top 3 in the Special Awards on IP Rights under the Municipalities category. #
Date of released: 07 December 2022