VIRAC, Catanduanes (PIA) - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) -Catanduanes and the provincial government of this island province jointly conducted a face-to-face walkthrough and consultation on Cities & Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) on April 25,  at Kemji Regina Hall, Virac.

The CMCI Program is a program implemented by the Department of Trade and Industry Competitiveness Bureau (DTI-CB) that annually ranks Local Government Units (LGUs) at the provincial, city, and municipal levels, based on the data gathered and processed to determine their competitiveness ranking, hinged on five (5) competitiveness pillars - Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, Resiliency, and Innovation.

Invited speakers were representatives from DTI-CB who oriented the participants about CMCI, reviewed Catanduanes Performance on the annual survey through the years, explored the Online CMCI portal, explained the scoring & ranking system, and an in-depth discussion of all 5 pillars.

The following DTI-CB representatives served as resource speakers for the event: Ma. Sheryl Santos, Chief of NQCD; Maria Madel Palen, TIDS, DTI-CB; Chriselle Besaña, TIDS, DTI-CB; Judy Anne Chan,  TIDA, DTI-CB. Ruth T. Villamor, TIDS of DTI Region 5 served as co-facilitator of the activity.

Due to their exemplary performance in the ranking of LGUs under 5th-6th class municipalities, LGU Bato Municipal Mayor =Juan T. Rodulfo shared their 'Best Practices' that resulted in their remarkable performance in the index.

One of the highlights of the event is the signing of the Manifesto of Commitment of participating municipal mayors or their authorized representatives to lock in their support & commitment towards achieving the 100% or full participation of all 11 LGUs in Catanduanes which could further lead to the improvement of our Provincial ranking in the annual nationwide survey.

DTI also expressed gratitude to the Provincial Local Government headed by Governor Joseph C. Cua, municipal mayors, vice mayors, and PPDO headed by Engr. Elsie Reyes, DILG-Catanduanes, MLGOOs, Media representative, and all the MLGU CMCI focal persons in attendance at the 1st face to face orientation on CMCI in Catanduanes.  (PIA5/Catanduanes)