The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 2 in partnership with the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) and the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) jointly organized the Regional Competitiveness Consultation Meeting on 08-09 October 2019 in Tuguegarao Cagayan to engage the Local Government Units, private sector, government agencies, and civil society organizations in a dialogue towards coming up with the region’s competitiveness roadmap for the next 5 years and create a Regional Policy Change Advocacy Cluster.
In her welcome remarks, DTI R02 Regional Director Leah Pulido Ocampo said that the activity is very important because it will be the first step towards the realization of her vision for region 2, and that is to put the region in the global radar screen for trade, investment and tourism. To transform the region from a raw material supplier to a processor of goods that will eventually reach the global markets. To be an active economic player not only in the national scene but also in the Global arena.
RD Ocampo also emphasized the need to further improve the region’s competitiveness. She urged the participants to take part and share their ideas in crafting the competitiveness roadmap. She said that the time for Region 2 is now and that Region 02 is going to be the next big thing. The region to watch out for.
Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao, Chairman Emeritus and Founder Institute for Solidarity in Asia, former NEDA Director General & Finance secretary served as the keynote speaker during the meeting. He discussed the Future of Competitiveness Governance: Towards a National Roadmap.
A workshop was also conducted for the identification of the region’s strategic position as well as the key result areas in the 4 Pillars of the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) Survey namely: Economic Dynamism which provides a glimpse on the vibrancy of local economy; Government Efficiency which deals with compliance to government policies and standards; Infrastructure which ensures connectivity and stable expansion of industries; and Resiliency which focuses on the readiness and capability of LGUs to respond to shocks, disasters, and emergency.
Other topics discussed were 4 Pillars of the CMCI Survey and the Regional Competitiveness Situationer.
As an output, a Regional Policy Change Advocacy Cluster (RPCAC) was created wherein Mr. Cloyd Velasco, PCCI R02 Regional Governor was elected as the Chairperson. The RPCAC will provide advisory and advocacy checks to the Regional Competitiveness Council and other relevant public institution in the implementation of the competitiveness roadmap deliverables of the region and DTI Region 2 was assigned to be the secretariat of the Council.
The activity is a prelude to the crafting of a roadmap for regional competitiveness which will harmonize all region’s efforts to strengthen all pillars of growth, and eventually make Region 2 as an attractive destination for trade, investment, and tourism in the future.♦
Date of Release: 28 October 2019