Makati City ranked first in economic dynamism and is the second most competitive city in the country in the recently concluded 4th Regional Competitiveness Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center.
“We are very thankful to the National Competitiveness Council [NCC] for this latest recognition that validates Makati’s stable business environment. Despite political upheavals, the city’s economy has remained vibrant and robust,” said Mayor Abigail Binay.
The plaque was received by city officials during the summit. It was signed by Ramon Lopez and Guillermo Luz, chairman and co-chairman of the NCC, respectively.
Binay deplored that in terms of government efficiency, Makati slipped two notches from third place in 2015 to fifth place this year. The city ranked fourth in 2014.
The mayor reiterated her call for private sector support in rebuilding Makati and strengthening its competitiveness as the premier investment destination in the country and in Asia.
Using the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI), the NCC gauged the competitiveness of cities and municipalities in terms of economic dynamism, government efficiency, and infrastructure. Makati ranked second in infrastructure.
Under the highly urbanized cities category, Makati also placed second among the most competitive cities in infrastructure, and fifth most competitive city in government efficiency.
Quezon City led the overall ranking of highly urbanized cities, followed by Makati and Manila.
Meanwhile, Rizal, Cavite and South Cotabato were hailed as this year’s most competitive provinces.
Among component cities, Naga City in Camarines Sur, San Fernando City in Pampanga and Legazpi City in Albay were adjudged the most competitive.
In the CMCI, cities and municipalities are categorized into four, namely, third to sixth class municipalities, first to second class municipalities, component cities, and highly urbanized cities. Joel E. Zurbano
The NCC through the regional competitiveness committees launched the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index in 2013.
This year recorded the largest number of participants with 1,389 local government units, 144 of which are cities and 1,245 were municipalities.