CONGRATULATIONS to the people, officials, employees and partners of the Local Government Unit of La Trinidad.
Out of 1,508 cities and municipalities, the capital town of Benguet landed 18th place in the overall ranking of 1st-2nd class municipalities category during this year's Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) awarding ceremonies in Pasay City.
The CMCI is a yearly activity that ranks cities and municipalities of the country. The National Competitiveness Council through the Regional Competitiveness Committees (RCCs) with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development established the program.
Local Government Units were ranked according to their overall competitiveness score. The score was derived from the sum of points on the four pillars of the award that includes economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure and resiliency. The point system was based on the indicators specified under each pillar. The values and completeness of the actual data determined the scores. The higher the score of a city or municipality, the more competitive it is.
La Trinidad also settled for fourth place in the pillar of economic dynamism that is 16 notches higher from 2017. In the same year, the municipality placed 32nd in the overall competitiveness and improved its ranking by climbing 14 steps.
In the mechanics, first class municipalities, where La Trinidad belongs, are municipalities which have an average annual income of P55M or more during the previous four calendar years while second class municipalities have a latest annual income of P45M to P54,999,999 during the previous four calendar years.
The competitiveness index is very important to LGU officials as it can be used to assess and identify areas for improvement and collaboration. The result of the survey can provide input for decision-making, legislative measures, and investment promotion. The data can also help investors where to locate their business enterprise.
According to the event organizers, the Philippine competitiveness Framework is being used in a number of global surveys on competitiveness.
The competitiveness is focused on the idea of productivity, it attempts to measure how many final products can be produced using a limited number of inputs. Local competitiveness is defined as how a city or municipality knows its resources and how it uses these to improve its standard of living.
With the recent approval of Republic Act 11032 or the act promoting ease of doing business and efficient delivery of government services, I am confident that the municipality will show added improvement in its performance in 2019.
I give my hats off also to the other municipalities and cities of the region that achieved the same recognition. You are an inspiration to all your constituents.
