4 Central Luzon local governments among most competitive in PH

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Four local governments in Central Luzon made it to the top three spots in separate categories for the most competitive cities and municipalities nationwide. 

Malolos City earned the top spot for the Most Improved Component Cities, while Baliwag town in Bulacan bested other 1^st to 2^nd class municipalities in the country in terms of infrastructure. 

Baliwag also ranked third in overall competitiveness; 4^th in terms of government efficiency; and 6^th in resilience, and economic dynamism.

Meanwhile, two other towns were adjudged as third most competitive in different pillars. 

Baler in Aurora was ranked as the third among all 3^rd to 4^th class municipalities in the country in terms of overall competitiveness. It also ranked third in terms of infrastructure while it ranked 6^th in terms of economic dynamism.

Sta. Maria town in Bulacan garnered the 3^rd rank among 1^st to 2^nd class municipalities in the country in terms of economic dynamism. It also ranked 5^th among in terms of overall competitiveness.

Department of Trade and Industry Regional Director Judith Angeles said the ranking is based on the results of the 2020 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI), which shows economic development and competitiveness indicators among local government units (LGUs).

“All participating LGUs were assessed based on four pillars namely economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure, and resiliency. CMCI is developed by the National Competitiveness Council through the Regional Competitiveness Committees with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development,” she added. 

Aside from these LGUs, 18 other towns and cities were included in the top 10 in different CMCI categories namely Bacolor, City of San Fernando, and Sta. Rita in Pampanga; Baler in Aurora; and Marilao, Baliwag, Sta. Maria, Angat, Bustos, Bocaue, Paombong, Malolos, and San Jose Del Monte City in Bulacan.

Also included are Talavera and Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija; Tarlac City; Subic in Zambales; and Olongapo City.