‘Competitive’ local gov’ts in Western Visayas named

ILOILO City – This year’s Western Visayas regional trade fair will not only promote products of small businesses but also recognize “competitive” local government units.

The Department of Trade and Industry has named the local governments to be awarded during a ceremony on Nov. 16 in this city that is part of the 2018 Panubli-on.

These local governments have excelled in “the four pillars of competitiveness,” Regional Director Rebecca Rascon said Wednesday.

These pillars under the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index were Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Resiliency, and Infrastructure.

Bacolod City was the Most Competitive among cities, having topped the Infrastructure, Resiliency and Economic Dynamism pillars.

Iloilo City, which topped Government Efficiency, ranked second overall and the component city of Passi in Iloilo province, third overall.

Aklan, Negros Occidental and Capiz will be recognized as Most Competitive provinces, ranking 15th, 35th and 36th, respectively, all over the Philippines.

Among first- and second-class municipalities, Malay, Aklan ranked first overall; Kalibo, Aklan, second; and San Jose, Antique, third.

La Castellana, Negros Occidental topped Economic Dynamism; San Jose, Antique, Government Efficiency; Malay, Aklan, Infrastructure; and Lambunao, Iloilo, Resiliency.

Meanwhile among third- to sixth-class towns, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental ranked first overall, followed by Ivisan, Capiz and Balasan, Iloilo on second and third places, respectively.

Pontevedra, Negros Occidental topped Economic Dynamism and Infrastructure; Leganes, Iloilo, Government Efficiency, and Ivisan, Capiz, Resiliency.

Cadiz City was the Most Improved LGU among cities; San Jose, Antique among first- to second-class towns; and Malinao, Aklan among third- to sixth-class towns.

The top three competitive local governments in each of the pillars will be recognized.

This year local governments in Western Visayas have “100-percent compliance” with requirements, according to Ma. Luisa Segovia, chairwoman of the Regional Investment and Competiveness Coordination Committee (Ri3C).

The Ri3C monitors the level of competitiveness of local governments and provides policy recommendations to the Regional Development Council.

Segovia said they hope the competitive LGUs “maintain the strengths of [their] locality.” (With a report from Philippine News Agency/PN)