Tagbilaran City has been recognized as one of the most competitive cities in the Philippines, securing the fourth spot overall among component cities in the prestigious Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI).
The awards ceremony, held at the Fiesta Pavilion of The Manila Hotel, saw Tagbilaran City also clinching the top position in the entire Visayan Region.
CMCI, an initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with assistance from USAID, evaluates local government units across five key development pillars: Infrastructure, Economic Dynamism, Resiliency, Government Efficiency, and Innovation.
In a field of 116 component cities nationwide, Tagbilaran City demonstrated exceptional performance across all categories. The city secured impressive rankings in each pillar:
– 2nd in Government Efficiency
– 6th in Infrastructure
– 7th in Resiliency
– 8th in Innovation
– 18th in Economic Dynamism
The competition involved a comprehensive assessment of 250 data sets from 1,634 Local Government Units (LGUs) across the Philippines. LGUs were categorized by income class, ranging from Highly Urbanized Cities to 5th and 6th Class Municipalities.
Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap, accompanied by DTI Regional Director Nanette Arbon, received the award on behalf of Tagbilaran City.
The Mayor said the recognition shows the city’s commitment to progress and efficient governance, positioning it as a model for sustainable urban development in the region.
CMCI results reveal Tagbilaran’s strengths in various aspects of urban management and development, particularly in government efficiency and infrastructure, Yap noted.
The achievement is expected to boost investor confidence and tourism in the city, potentially leading to increased economic opportunities for its residents, according to Mayor Yap.