TACLOBAN CITY – The Eastern Visayas Regional Development Council has recognized 10 local government units (LGUs) in the region that topped the 2022 cities and municipalities competitiveness index (CMCI).

NEDA Eastern Visayas Regional Director Meylene Rosales, the RDC vice chair, said on Friday(Jan.6) the council approved a resolution congratulating the top performers in the recent CMCI.

“The council finds merit in recognizing the said top-performing LGUs to encourage and inspire other LGUs in the region,” Rosales said in a phone interview.

Achievers are Basey town in Samar province as among the top nine most improved LGU (1st to 2nd class municipality category); San Antonio, Northern Samar in the top two most improved LGU (5th to 6th class municipality category); Almeria, Biliran in the top nine most improved LGU (5th to 6th class municipality category); Maasin City in the top three most improved LGU and top nine most competitive LGU (component cities category); and Calbayog City in the top five most improved LGU and top eight most competitive LGU (component cities category).

Other top performers are Tomas Oppus town in Southern Leyte province as among the top five most competitive LGU – economic dynamism pillar (5th to 6th class municipality category); Can-avid, Eastern Samar in the top 10 most competitive LGU – government efficiency (3rd to 4th class municipality category); Kawayan, Biliran in the top nine most competitive LGU – government efficiency and top seven most competitive LGU – innovation pillar (5th to 6th class municipality category); Catubig, Northern Samar in the top two most competitive LGU – resiliency pillar (3rd to 4th class municipality category); and Biliran town, Biliran as the topmost competitive LGU – innovation pillar (5th to 6th class municipality category).

“Some 142 out of the 143 cities and towns in the region participated in the 2022 CMCI, and 10 were among the top performers in the country for that year,” Rosales added.
CMCI is an annual ranking of Philippine cities and municipalities developed by the National Competitiveness Council through the Regional Competitiveness Committees with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development.

Areas are ranked on their competitiveness based on an overall competitiveness score which is the sum of scores on five main pillars.

The five main pillars are: economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure, resiliency, and innovation. Scores are determined by the values of the actual data, as well as the completeness of the submitted data.

The higher the score of a city or municipality, the more competitive it is.

The index can be used as a diagnostic tool by local government officials to assess the competitiveness of their city or municipality and identify areas for improvement and collaboration.

Data can provide insight for policymaking, development planning, and investment promotion.
(SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)

TACLOBAN CITY– Youths from various organizations in Eastern Visayas have showcased their talent in singing through the first-ever music festival for peace held at the People’s Center, this city, on December 26.

The activity aimed to capacitating the youths to be active partners of the government in the pursuit of genuine and lasting peace.

Captain Jefferson Mariano, spokesperson of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division (8ID), said the activity was in line with the strong condemnation of the youths relative to the alleged deceptive recruitment done by the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs).

The festival was also dedicated to all youths and members of Peoples’ Organizations who have been victims of the recruitment of the CTGs.

Major General Camilo Z. Ligayo, 8ID commanding general, said the support different sectors for a collaborative effort in nation-building particularly to the youth to harness their potential as catalysts for peace, growth and agents of development.

Some of the performers included members of the TacMusico, Hands off Our Children Movement – Eastern Visayas Chapter, Istilo Poetry, KBOX with active participation of the Tacloban City Police Office, Situational Awareness and Knowledge Management Cluster, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

(MMP/CBA with DPAO8)