3 Normin places in DTI’s best areas list

By Antonio L. Colina IV of Mindanews,
and Jigger J. Jerusalem, Correspondent

CAGAYAN de Oro placed second in resiliency pillar among the highly urbanized cities in the Philippines in the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) 2019 of the National Competitiveness Council (NNC).

Another city and a town in Region 10 were also cited — Mambajao town in Camiguin that ranked No. 1 in economic dynamism and third in government efficiency, and Tangub City in Misamis Occidental that was declared second most improved component city.

The citations were bestowed on deserving local governments by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the competitiveness council.

Cagayan de Oro, considered as the region’s capital, alsop ranked No. 6 in government efficiency, No. 10 in economic dynamism, and No. 10 in infrastructure.

Davao City however is the only Mindanao city in the list of the most highly competitive cities in the country this year, according to the NNC index. It is the only highly urbanized city outside Luzon that made the cut, emerged as the third overall most competitive highly urbanized city.

The northern Mindanao town of Mambajao however placed first overall in the most competitive town in the third to sixth class municipalities category.

Davao tailed behind the cities of Quezon and Manila, adjudged as the first and second most competitive highly urbanized cities, respectively.

Davao’s ranking this year improved from fourth in 2018.

According to NNC, the cities and municipalities are ranked on their competitiveness based on an overall competitiveness score, the sum of scores on four main pillars—economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure, and resiliency.

It said Davao City placed third for government efficiency, infrastructure, and resiliency, except for economic dynamism where the city placed second, behind Pasay, in highly urbanized cities category, according to NNC.

Aside from Davao, Cagayan de Oro placed second in resiliency pillar among the highly urbanized cities. Tagum in Davao del Norte placed second in government efficiency while Koronadal, second in resiliency among component cities.

Mambajao placed first in economic dynamism and third in government efficiency. Joining Mambajao is Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, adjudged as third in resiliency.

Tangub, Misamis Occidental was declared second most improved component city while Tabina in Zamboanga del Sur as most improved town in the category of third to sixth class municipalities.

Meanwhile, Camiguin has been named the fourth most competitive province in the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index Awards out of the 84 provinces in the country, according to Gov. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo.

Romualdo said he and other Camiguin officials were celebrating because Mambajao town bagged the Most Competitive Municipality award in the 3rd to 6th Class Municipalities Category, and because it also won the Best in Economic Dynamism and ranked third in Government Efficiency for the same category.

Awards are given to LGUs in four categories, namely, 3rd to 6th class municipalities, 1st to 2nd class municipalities, component cities, and highly urbanized cities.

Romualdo said it has always been the provincial government’s vision to develop the island-province with sustainability and environmental consciousness in mind.

“We worked hard for this,” he said, referring to the awards, “to make Camiguin a better place for us and for our guests.”

To realize this, Camiguin has to take measures that would ensure food and power security for the island, he said.

Romualdo said they are now working to implement a province-wide agriculture program that would encourage Camiguinons to plant crops so they would not have to depend on the mainland Mindanao for their food requirement.

In its drive for a more fossil fuel-free energy, the provincial government would be putting up solar panels and windmills in the island, he said.

The capitol would also be regulating its water supply starting next year as a way to prevent a water crisis.

“We will not wait for the time that we will suffer because of water shortage. We have to act now,” the governor told the crowd at the coronation of “Mutya sa Buhawanan” beauty pageant held at the provincial capitol grounds Friday night.

With these future programs in the pipeline, Romualdo said it wouldn’t be a surprise if Camiguin would reap more awards.

“We will just keep on working hard for the good of Camiguin, for the good of its people,” he said.

This year’s annual Lanzones Festival in Camiguin became more festive with the awards the provincial government and Mambajao town government bagged.

The 40th Lanzones Festival is one of the island’s major attractions and was established to celebrate the bounty of the lanzones fruit, considered as the sweetest in the country.

Among the highlights of the festivities is the street dancing competition held in Mambajao Saturday.