DAGUPAN CITY -- The city of Dagupan was adjudged anew by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Region 1 as the Most Competitive City in the whole region.
This was known during the 3rd Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index (CMCI) awards ceremony held at CSI Stadia Friday morning, coinciding with the opening of the 10-day "RimattiAmianan" (Radiance of the North) at the adjacent CSI the City Mall.
DTI also recognized Dagupan as the No. 1 among the nine component cities in the region in the infrastructure category, government efficiency, and economic dynamism.
DTI Region 1 Director Florante O. Leal presented the awards for Dagupan along with Nelson Yuchongtian, president of the Pangasinan Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Leal disclosed that the CMCI is a program being undertaken by the agency to recognize top performing Local Government Units (LGUs) on their initiatives to improve their services in doing business in their areas.
He said that the competitive index is very important to businessmen who depend on how ready an LGU is to accommodate and welcome new businesses in their localities.
He said he is glad to note that this year, there were at least 125 LGUs that participated in the program.
Leal added that while DTI administers the program, a private group, however, does the evaluation of all the participating LGUs.
He applauded Mayor Belen Fernandez for hauling most of the awards this year, saying he is not surprised “because the necessary ingredients are already in place in her city with the kind of support provided by the LGU leadership.
Dagupan is now ranked 16th nationwide in infrastructure category; 9th nationwide in government efficiency; 16th nationwide in economic dynamism; and 13th nationwide as most competitive city. (PNA)
