Nine Local Government Units were recognized by the Department of Trade and Industry Region 8 during the 2019 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) Awarding Ceremony at the Summit Hotel, Tacloban City on November 27, 2019.
These local units were included in the Top 20 rankings of Most Improved LGUs and Most Competitive LGUs based from the results of the 2019 CMCI Survey presented at the 7th Regional Competitiveness Summit in Manila last October 24, 2019 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City.
Under the Most Competitive LGUs for the pillar of Economic Dynamism, Naval Biliran ranked 13 under the 1st and 2nd Class Municipalities Category while Maasin City ranked 19th under the Component Cities Category.
For the Pillar of Infrastructure, Matag-ob, Leyte ranked 7th Most Competitive LGUs under the 3rd to 6th Class Municipalities Category.
This recognition is given to the Most Competitive Provinces and LGUs with exemplary performance in the four pillars of the index – Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, and Resiliency. Awards were given in four (4) categories: Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs), Component Cities, 1st and 2nd Class Municipalities, and 3rd to 6th Class Municipalities.
There is also a recognition for Most Improved Cities and Municipalities wherein the awardees leap notches in higher ranks from their previous ranking.
For the Most Improved LGUs under the 3rd to 6th Class Municipalities- Palo, Leyte ranked 5th; Dolores, Eastern Samar ranked 16th; Mahaplag, Leyte ranked 17th; and Dagami, Leyte ranked 20th. These municipalities jumped more than 4oo notches higher from last year’s results.
Under the Most Improved Component Cities, Calbayog City ranked 9th that moved 16 notches higher, and Ormoc City ranked 11th that moved 12 notches higher.
This year, a total of 1,518 LGUs participated in CMCI 2019, comprising of 33 HUCs, 112 Component Cities, 489 1st and 2nd Class Municipalities, and 884 3rd to 6th Class Municipalities.
The CMCI result serves as a basis for planning improvements and policy formulation in every local government unit to foster a more business-enabling environment and promote ease of doing business in their localities.
DTI is thankful that more LGUs through their Local Chief Executives are appreciating this initiative and are seriously complying with the documentary requirements of the surveys being conducted.
The Department also stressed out the importance of the results to local and foreign investors for potential partnership with the LGUs and their development councils.♦
Date of Release: 29 November 2019