Davao City – Twenty-eight (28) cities and municipalities were hailed as the highly competitive local government units (LGUs) during the 5^th Davao Region Competitiveness Awarding recently here. 

The said event, hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11, is the regional version of the annual Regional Competitiveness Summit which recognizes the most competitive LGUs based on the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) survey. The CMCI measures the overall competitiveness based on economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure, resiliency and innovation pillars. 

In her opening message, DTI Region 11 Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi emphasized that the ceremony is not just about the award but it is also about identifying the LGUs’ strengths and weaknesses.  

“With these data that we have gathered in CMCI, it enables our stakeholders to come-up with policies to improve competitiveness, particularly on, planning and development, and investments generation, which will then translate to more job opportunities to your constituents,” she said. 

In the meantime, Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio mentioned in her keynote speech that working diligently to improve the key pillars of competitiveness must also be coupled with cooperation and creating strong bonds with the private sector, the business community, security units, and the people in their respective localities.  

“May this serve as an inspiration and encouragement to all of us that we will continue to build better communities, and keep serving our respective cities and municipalities for the benefit of the people of Davao Region,” Mayor Duterte-Carpio said. 

Below are the awardees:  

On the Overall Most Competitive LGUs award, the Province of Davao del Norte bagged the number 1 spot, while Davao de Oro ranked 2^nd, and Davao del Sur landed on the 3^rd spot. Under the Component Cities category, 1^st place was awarded to Tagum City, while 2^nd and 3^rd goes to the cities of Panabo and Digos, respectively. Under the 1^st to 2^nd Class Municipalities, Compostela of Davao de Oro landed on 1^st place, while Nabunturan, Davao de Oro is 2^nd and Carmen of Davao del Norte ranked 3^rd. LGUs of Davao del Sur also grabbed the top 3 spots in the 3^rd to 4^th Class Municipalities through the municipalities of Sulop, Hagonoy, and Magsaysay getting the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd spot, respectively. Lastly, Davao City was awarded being the most competitive highly urbanized city in Visayas and Mindanao. 

The event also recognized the exemplary performance of the LGUs based on the competitiveness pillars. 

For Economic Dynamism, still Tagum City bagged the number 1 spot, while Panabo City ranked 2^nd, and Digos City ranked 3^rd. Under the 1^st to 2^nd Class Municipalities, Malita of Davao Occidental sits on the 1^st place, while New Bataan of Davao de Oro landed 2^nd, and Kapalong of Davao del Norte landed 3^rd. Also, for the 3^rd to 4^th Class Municipalities, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur made its way being the 1^st placer, while Montevista, Davao de Oro grabbed 2^nd, and Sulop, Davao del Sur being 3^rd. 

On the other hand, under the Government Efficiency pillar, Tagum City, once again, ranked 1^st, Mati City ranked 2^nd, and Panabo City ranked 3^rd. For the 1^st to 2^nd Class Municipalities, Carmen of Davao del Norte, Bansalan of Davao del Sur, and Nabunturan of Davao de Oro ranked 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd, respectively. While for the 3^rd to 4^th Class Municipalities, Magsaysay of Davao del Sur placed 1^st, Hagonoy of Davao del Sur placed 2^nd, and Sulop of Davao del Sur placed 3^rd. 

Under the Infrastructure Pillar, Tagum City grabbed the 1^st place, Panabo City ranked 2^nd, and Digos City ranked 3^rd. Meanwhile, Davao de Oro LGUs grabbed the top 3 spots under the 1^st to 2^nd Class Municipalities, recognizing Compostela, Nabunturan, and Laak being 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd, respectively. At the same time, Davao del Sur made its name for the 3^rd to 4^th Class Municipalities by having Sulop sitting at the 1^st spot, Magsaysay at 2^nd spot, and Padada at the 3^rd spot. 

For Resiliency, under the component cities category, Tagum City ranked 1^st, Panabo City ranked 2^nd, and Digos City ranked 3^rd. Under the 1^st to 2^nd Class Municipalities, Carmen of Davao del Norte ranked 1^st, Bansalan of Davao del Sur ranked 2^nd, and Monkayo of Davao de Oro ranked 3^rd. While for the 3^rd to 4^th Class Municipalities, Magsaysay of Davao del Sur ranked 1^st, Hagonoy of Davao del Sur ranked 2^nd, and Sulop of Davao del Sur ranked 3^rd. 

Lastly, the event also gave recognition to those who have shown great efforts in boosting their local competitiveness through the Most Improve LGU award. Digos City ranked 1^st, Mati City ranked 2^nd, and IGACOS ranked 3^rd, among 5 Component Cities in Davao Region. While, Laak of Davao de Oro, Mabini of Davao de Oro, and Santo Tomas of Davao del Norte ranked 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd, most improved 1^st to 2^nd Class Municipalities. For the 3^rd to 4^th Class Municipalities, Padada of Davao del Sur placed 1^st, Don Marcelino of Davao Occidental placed 2^nd, and Braulio E. Dujali of Davao del Norte placed 3^rd. 

“We hope to see more LGUs improving their competitiveness and welcome more investments as they continuously develop their investment climates,” Ambi concluded. ♦

Date of Release: 9 March 2022