Iloilo City – The most competitive local government units in Region 6 were recognized by the Department of Trade and Industry Region 6 during the 6th Regional Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) Awards for Competitive LGUs with the theme ”Revitalizing Regional Competitiveness” held on 18 November 2022 at Park Inn Hotel, Iloilo City. The CMCI is an annual ranking of the Philippine cities and municipalities. Since 2012, the CMCI has ranked Philippine cities and municipalities with the goal of strengthening, strategically outlining, and tracking local competitiveness. This is achieved by a set of indicators falling under five major pillars: government efficiency, economic dynamism, infrastructure, resiliency, and innovation (the recently added pillar).

The province of Aklan bagged the Most Competitive Province; Iloilo City for Most Improved Highly Urbanized City; San Carlos City for the Most Improved Component City; Binalbagan, Negros Occidental for the Most Improved 1st-2nd Class Municipality;  Ibajay, Aklan for the Most Improved 3rd-4th Class Municipality; and San Lorenzo, Guimaras for the Most Improved 5th-6th Class Municipality.

The following LGUs were named Most Competitive under the government efficiency pillar: Iloilo City in the Highly Urbanized City category; Cadiz City, Negros in the Component City category; Lambunao, Iloilo in the 1st-2nd Class Municipality category; Sebaste, Antique in the 3rd-4th Class Municipality category; and Lezo, Aklan in the 5th-6th Class Municipality category.

On the other hand, the following LGUs bagged the Most Competitive title under the economic dynamism pillar: Iloilo City in the Highly Urbanized City category; Passi City, Iloilo in the Component City category; Kalibo, Aklan in the 1st-2nd Class Municipality category; Ibajay, Aklan in the 3rd-4th Class Municipality category; and San Lorenzo, Guimaras in the 5th-6th Class Municipality category.

Under the infrastructure pillar, the following LGUs won the Most Competitive award: Iloilo City in the Highly Urbanized City category; Sagay City, Negros Occidental in the Component City category; Lambunao, Iloilo in the 1st-2nd Class Municipality category; Leganes, Iloilo in the 3rd-4th Class Municipality category; and San Lorenzo, Guimaras in the 5th-6th Class Municipality category.

Moreover, the following LGUs were hailed as Most Competitive under the resiliency pillar: Iloilo City in the Highly Urbanized City category; Sipalay City, Negros Occidental in the Component City category; Binalbagan, Negros Occidental in the 1st-2nd Class Municipality category; Ivisan, Capiz in the 3rd-4th Class Municipality category; and San Lorenzo, Guimaras in the 5th-6th Class Municipality category.

Lastly, under the innovation pillar, the following LGUs that were named as Most Competitive are: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental in the Highly Urbanized City category; San Carlos City, Negros Occidental in the Component City category; Lambunao, Iloilo in the 1st-2nd Class Municipality category; Alimodian, Iloilo in the 3rd-4th Class Municipality category; and San Lorenzo, Guimaras in the 5th-6th Class Municipality category.

The CMCI is one of the DTI Competitiveness Bureau’s Programs which enjoins LGUs to gather and submit data that serves as basis for their scores and ranks.

Policymakers and local chief executives can develop concrete plans and programs to strengthen their competitiveness and promote local communities as viable investment destinations for new and existing investors using the insights provided by the CMCI Data Analytics Platform.

DTI R6 OIC-ARD Felisa Judith Degala lauds all of the cities and municipalities that took part in this year’s cycle on a job well done—not just for the recognitions and awards, but also for taking the steps and challenges toward competitiveness.

This year, Region 6 has 100 % participation in the survey, with 133 participating LGUs.

The event was attended by DTI-Competitiveness Bureau Director Lilian Salonga, DTI Region 6 officials and staff, DTI Provincial Directors, City Mayor Hon. Jerry P. Treñas, local chief executives, CMCI focal persons, partner government agencies and LGU representatives. ♦

Date of Release: 21 November 2022