ILOILO City – This city was recognized as the “Overall Most Competitive” among highly urbanized cities (HUCs), while Guimaras was hailed as the “Most Competitive Province” at the Western Visayas Creativity Forum and Competitive Local Government Unit (LGU) Awards.
The ceremony, held on Monday afternoon, November 4, took place at the Iloilo Convention Center in Mandurriao district.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 6, led by Director Rachel Nufable, awarded local government units (LGUs) that participated in the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) survey, which assesses LGU performance across key competitiveness pillars.
A total of 133 LGUs in Western Visayas participated, classified according to municipal and city categories: 5th to 6th class municipalities, 3rd to 4th class municipalities, 1st to 2nd class municipalities, component cities, and highly urbanized cities (HUCs).
LGUs were evaluated and ranked based on their scores across five competitiveness pillars: Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, Resiliency, and Innovation.
Iloilo City topped all five pillars, leading to its recognition as the “Overall Most Competitive” LGU among HUCs in the region.
Similarly, Guimaras was named the most competitive province, distinguishing itself in regional competitiveness and development metrics.
Here’s the complete list of LGUs cited:
For Economic Dynamism
* 1st to 2nd class municipalities – Kalibo, Aklan
* 3rd to 4th class municipalities – Jordan, Guimaras
* 5th to 6th class municipalities – San Lorenzo, Guimaras
* Component Cities – Roxas City, Capiz
* HUC – Iloilo City
For Government Efficiency
* 1stt to 2nd class municipalities – Kalibo, Aklan
* 3rd to 4th class municipalities – Leganes, Iloilo
* 5th to 6th class municipalities – Mina, Iloilo
* Component Cities – Cadiz City, Negros Occidental
* HUC – Iloilo City
For Infrastructure
* 1st to 2nd class municipalities – Malay, Aklan
* 3rd to 4th class municipalities – Jordan, Guimaras
* 5th to 6th class municipalities – San Lorenzo, Guimaras
* Component Cities – Sagay City, Negros Occidental
* HUC – Iloilo City
For Resiliency
* 1st to 2nd class municipalities – Tigbauan, Iloilo
* 3rd to 4th class municipalities – Concepcion, Iloilo
* 5th to 6th class municipalities – Buruanga, Aklan
* Component Cities – Sagay City, Negros Occidental
* HUC- Iloilo City
For Innovation
* 1st to 2nd class municipalities – Tigbauan, Iloilo
* 3rd to 4th class municipalities – Leganes, Iloilo
* 5th to 6th class municipalities – Belison, Antique
* Component Cities – Roxas City, Capiz
* HUC – Iloilo City
For Most Improved LGUs
* 1st to 2nd class municipalities – Janiuay, Iloilo
* 3rd to 4th class municipalities – Barotac Viejo, Iloilo
* 5th to 6th class municipalities – Libertad, Antique
* Component Cities (three winners) – Kabankalan City, Victorias City and Escalante, Negros Occidental
For Most Competitive Province
* Guimaras
For Overall Most Competitive
* HUC – Iloilo City
* Component City – Roxas City
* 1st to 2nd class municipalities – Kalibo, Aklan
* 3rd to 4th class municipalities – Leganes, Iloilo
* 5th to 6th class municipalities – San Lorenzo, Guimaras
DTI-6’s Director Nufable urged LGUs to “continue to build on this success and work together to position our localities as thriving investment destinations.”
“Today, we celebrate the outstanding achievements and relentless dedication of the 133 local government units from across Western Visayas who participated in this year’s CMCI cycle. Your commitment to progress and innovation has been instrumental in bringing recognition to our region,” Nufable said./PN
