CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga –Samal town under the able leadership of Mayor Aida Macalinao in Bataan placed 8th in government efficiency among 3rd to 4th class municipalities in the country. Although lack of resources, Macalinao was able to put up various infrastructure projects, declogged the once insoluble flooding and illegal drug problems in Samal, launched massive clean up along the coastal areas, enriching once more the fishing ground of this coastal town.
As to the creation of employment, Macalinao maintains the status quo of the J.O.( job order) numbering more than 300 in her bid to have these families make both ends meet.
“Di ko kayang mawalan ng trabaho tong mahigit 300 JO na may kanya kanyang pamilya,” pointed out Macalinao. The new Samal municipal building is now alsmost finished. This was the official findings of the Department of Trade and Industry Region that announced the results of the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index 2021 during the 9th Regional Competitiveness Summit.
In a statement, two provinces and nine towns in Central Luzon made it to the top 10 spots in separate categories for the most competitive cities and municipalities nationwide.
Baliwag town in Bulacan bested other 1st to 2nd class municipalities in the country in terms of infrastructure. It also ranked second in overall competitiveness, and resilience; third in terms of government efficiency; and 5th in economic dynamism. Also, Baler in Aurora placed third in terms of overall competitiveness, and economic dynamism; and 4th in terms of infrastructure among the 3rd to 4th class municipalities.
For the highly urbanized city category, Angeles City ranked 5th for most improved; while City of San Fernando earned 5th spot in infrastructure, 6th in overall competitiveness, and 8th in government efficiency under the component city category.
Meanwhile, five other towns were also adjudged as most competitive in different pillars.
These include Santa Maria and Marilao in Bulacan which ranked 7th and 8th in economic dynamism, respectively; and Talavera in Nueva Ecija which ranked 10th in infrastructure under the 1st to 2nd class municipality category.
In addition, San Antonio town in Nueva Ecija also garnered the 9th rank as most improved, while Samal town in Bataan placed 8th in government efficiency among 3rd to 4th class municipalities in the country.
For the most competitive provinces, Pampanga ranked 7th while Bulacan placed 10th nationwide.
Department of Trade and Industry Region 3 Industry Development Division Chief Racquel Malig said the ranking is based on the results of the 2021 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI), which shows economic development and competitiveness indicators among local government units (LGUs).
“CMCI is a set of indicators which serves as a guide or reference for each city and municipality to determine their level of productivity and competitiveness to propel economic activity. All participating LGUs were assessed based on five pillars namely economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure, resilience, and innovation. 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.
