BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – Several business entities here have congratulated the city government following its recognition as the Overall Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City (HUC) by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region-6.
Among those offering their congratulations were MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power), the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Iloilo, Inc., and Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW).
These organizations praised the city for this prestigious achievement, highlighting Iloilo City’s continued growth, competitiveness, and resilience.
They also acknowledged the collective efforts of the local government, the private sector, and the people of Iloilo, which have contributed to the city’s success in earning this recognition as one of the most competitive cities in the region.
MORE Power president and chief executive officer Roel Castro praised the recognition of Iloilo City as the Overall Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City (HUC) by DTI Region VI, emphasizing that the distinction reflects the city’s commitment to effective governance, sustained economic growth, and the power of public-private partnerships.
Castro lauded the collaborative approach that has driven the city’s success, stating, “This success highlights the impact of a shared vision, strong leadership in the local government, and cooperation from the private sector.”
He emphasized that it is through the collective efforts of the city government and its partners that Iloilo City has been able to excel.
MORE Power, he said, is proud to be part of this journey and remains committed to ensuring a competitive power supply with reasonable rates for Ilonggos and businesses, which in turn helps attract more investors to the city.
MORE Power remains committed to supporting the city’s development by guaranteeing reliable energy services, contributing to the city’s overall infrastructure improvement, and encouraging sustainable development.
The Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Iloilo, Inc. (FCCI) also extended their congratulations to Iloilo City for being recognized as the Overall Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City (HUC) by DTI Region VI.
FCCCI described the recognition as a proud achievement that reflects the city’s ongoing commitment to good governance, sustainable development, and collaborative growth.
FCCI President Engr. Terrence Uygongco expressed particular pride in Iloilo City’s top ranking across all five competitiveness pillars: Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Resiliency, Infrastructure, and Innovation.
He commended the leadership of Mayor Jerry Treñas, Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, the City Council, and the entire city government team for their dedication and hard work.
Uygongco also highlighted the crucial role of public-private partnerships (PPP) in advancing the city’s progress, noting that these efforts continue to guide Iloilo toward a bright and inclusive future.
“As a steadfast partner in lloilo City’s progress, the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce of loilo, Inc. is honored to contribute to the city’s growth and development through ongoing partnerships. This recognition reinforces our shared commitment to creating a business-friendly, resilient, and vibrant environment that benefits not only the city but also the entire region,” said Uygongco.
For its part, MPIW expressed heartfelt congratulations to the Iloilo City Government. The company underscored that this prestigious award is a testament to the city’s steadfast commitment to growth, resilience, and vibrancy.
MPIW Chief Operating Officer Angelo David Berba noted that this accomplishment was made possible through the strong collaboration between the local government, the private sector, and the people of Iloilo, which has driven the city’s progress and competitiveness.
“This milestone is a testament to years of exemplary governance that have created a positive impact for all stakeholders, propelling Iloilo City to greater heights,” said Berba.
As a steadfast partner in the city’s development, MPIW vowed to remain committed to supporting Iloilo City’s growth by continuously improving water infrastructure and providing sustainable water solutions to enhance the quality of life for every Ilonggo.
In addition to this top honor, the city also achieved first-place rankings across five critical pillars: Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, Resiliency, and Innovation.
Economic Dynamism indicates a robust business environment and economic activity of a government unit, while Government Efficiency reflects streamlined public services and governance; and Infrastructure underscores the city’s well-developed facilities and services.
It also ranked first in the Resiliency category, which showcases its ability to withstand and recover from challenges, and Innovation, emphasizing the city’s commitment to forward-thinking approaches.
The Western Visayas Creativity Forum cum Competitive LGU Awards took place on Nov. 4 at the Iloilo Convention Center in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
This event celebrated the exceptional achievements of local government units, with Iloilo City standing out for its commitment to responsive governance.
The awards highlight the city’s focus on excellence, aimed at fostering sustainable growth and enhancing the quality of life for its residents./PN
