THE National Competitiveness Council (NCC) has recognized Bago City in Negros Occidental as the most improved component city in the country during the 5th Annual Regional Competitiveness Summit and Awards held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City Tuesday.
Mayor Nicholas Yulo on Thursday, Aug. 17, said the first place recognition received by Bago is a validation of the hardwork of all employees, from utility up to top level officials, in providing quality services to the constituents.
“We are elated and humbled to be given such award,” Yulo said, adding that “it poses a challenge for us to further improve our job as the constituents deserve no less than our best.”
This year’s unveiling of the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) included the awarding of most improved city and municipality, and most competitive province on top of regular categories, including most competitive highly-urbanized cities, component cities, first to second class municipalities, and third to sixth class municipalities.
The NCC, in its website, said CMCI is an annual ranking of Philippine cities and municipalities developed through the Regional Competitiveness Committees (RCCs) with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development.
It recognizes the most competitive local government units (LGUs) based on the four pillars of competitiveness such as economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure, and resiliency.
Bago City was awarded along with cities of San Carlos, Maasin and Calapan.
In terms of government efficiency, Yulo said that Bago was given an
“excellent” rating in public perception based on the quality, efficiency, and adequacy of services it provides, by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), through its 2016 Anti-Red Tape Act (Arta) Report Card Survey (RCS).
Yulo said the number of business establishments in the city has been increasing.
“Also, we continue to strongly push for various development initiatives in our agriculture sector especially organic to boost the local economy while ensuring food security,” Yulo said.
“Our economy remains resilient as we are able to provide the needs of our people while having an excess capacity to bring products and services outside the city,” he added.
Meanwhile, other winners included Rizal, South Cotabato, and Cavite as most competitive provinces.
Cities of Manila, Quezon and Davao were awarded as most competitive highly-urbanized cities; Antipolo in Rizal, Naga in Camarines Sur, and Tagum in Davao del Norte for component city; Bangabon in Nueva Ecija, Paranas in Samar, Baliwag in Bulacan, for first to second class municipalities; Baler in Aurora, Mambajao in Camuigin and Tayug in Pangasinan for third and sixth class municipalities.
