VIRAC, Catanduanes (PIA) - The municipality of Bato emerged as third best local government unit (LGU) in infrastructure pillar in the country, based on an index that gauged a local government in terms of infrastructure, economic dynamism and efficiency.

Bato Mayor Juan Rodulfo beamed with pride as he personally received the plaque of recognition during the conferment ceremony for the top performing LGUs based on the 2021 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) held on July 21, 2022 at Alicia Hotel, Legazpi City.  He was accompanied by Franklin Toledana, focal person for the CMCI and Municipal Planning and Development Council, 

The plaque was presented by the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) competitiveness bureau represented by Assistant Director Jo-Dann Darong and DTI Region 5 represented by Regional Director Rodrigo Aguilar together with OIC Assistant Regional Director Heginio Baldano and DTI Catanduanes Provincial Director Maria Belma Q. Escueta.

Rodulfo expressed gratitude for the recognition and offered the award to his constituents.

LGU Bato received the award along with two other awardees from Bicol--the LGUs of the cities of Legazpi and Naga.

The Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index 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.

Cities and municipalities are ranked on their competitiveness based on an overall competitiveness score. The overall competitiveness score is the sum of scores on three main pillars which pool data from several sub-indicators. The three main pillars are: economic dynamism, government efficiency and infrastructure. 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.  (PIA5/Catanduanes)