Quezon crowns its most competitive municipalities

By Rowena Cruz Dolores, Candelaria, Sariaya, and Jomalig honored at CMCI Awards for achievements in economic development, infrastructure, an...

By Rowena Cruz

Dolores, Candelaria, Sariaya, and Jomalig honored at CMCI Awards for achievements in economic development, infrastructure, and innovation. (Photo from Quezon PIO)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon - Four municipalities were lauded for their outstanding achievements in economic growth and development at the Provincial Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) Awarding Ceremony held on November 28, 2024. Dolores, Candelaria, Sariaya, and Jomalig each received prestigious awards, highlighting their progress in key areas such as economic dynamism, innovation, infrastructure, and government efficiency.

The event, spearheaded by the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), celebrated the municipalities' commitment to progress and their contributions to the overall economic advancement of Quezon Province. Governor Doktora Helen Tan graced the ceremony and expressed her gratitude to all participating LGUs for their continuous efforts in boosting the province's economy.



PPDC Engr. Russell Narte highlighted the importance of the CMCI in attracting investors and providing LGUs with crucial data to improve their performance. He emphasized that the increased ranking and competitiveness of LGUs contribute significantly to attracting investors to Quezon Province. The CMCI also helps LGUs monitor their progress and identify areas for improvement.

Dolores, Quezon, received significant recognition, jumping from 76th place in 2023 to an impressive 30th place in the national ranking of 660 municipalities. This outstanding achievement earned them the title of Top 1 Overall Most Competitive LGU in Quezon Province in its category. In addition to this top honor, Dolores also excelled in several key areas. They were named the Most Competitive LGU in Quezon Province for Economic Dynamism, demonstrating their strong economic performance.

Dolores also secured second place in Innovation, highlighting their commitment to creative solutions and forward-thinking initiatives. Furthermore, they showcased their ability to adapt and thrive in the face of challenges by achieving third place in Resiliency. Mayor Orlan A. Calayag, accompanied by MPDC Ms. Sheryl Cabrera and BPLO Ms. Sheena A. Borja, personally received the awards on behalf of Dolores. The local government of Dolores extended its gratitude to all public and private sector employees, officials, and former MPDC Ms. Norida Villaruel for their contributions to this success.

Candelaria continued its winning streak, securing the Top 2 Most Competitive Municipality in Quezon Province for the 1st-2nd Class Municipalities Category for the second consecutive year. Candelaria also achieved a remarkable 19th place nationwide. This accomplishment highlights the dedication and competence of Candelaria's local government employees. Candelaria's success extended across multiple pillars, showcasing their effective public services with their top ranking in Government Efficiency.

They also demonstrated a commitment to building a strong foundation for their community by securing second place in both Infrastructure and Resiliency. Furthermore, Candelaria achieved third place in both Innovation and Economic Dynamism, solidifying their position as a leader in progress and development. Candelaria expressed gratitude to God, all the employees of the Municipal Government, and Governor Tan for their dedication and hard work. They acknowledged that these awards are a bonus for their wholehearted service to the town and a reflection of their love and desire for the further development of Candelaria.

Sariaya also demonstrated its commitment to progress, achieving Top 2 Overall Most Competitive LGU in Quezon Province in the 1st and 2nd Class Municipalities Category. Nationally, Sariaya ranked an impressive 27th out of all 1st and 2nd class municipalities in the 2024 CMCI rankings. The municipality further distinguished itself by earning top honors in Infrastructure, demonstrating their dedication to building a strong foundation for growth and development.

Sariaya also secured second place in Government Efficiency, highlighting their commitment to providing effective and responsive public services. Their dedication to continuous improvement was evident in their achievement of third place in both the Most Improved LGU category and the Resiliency pillar, demonstrating their ability to adapt and overcome challenges while striving for progress. Mayor Marcelo P. Gayeta, along with Municipal Budget Officer Erickson Lorena and MPDC Ronnie Lindog, were present to accept the awards. Ms. Beah Marasigan of the Municipal Competitiveness Committee Secretariat also joined them.

The entire committee who worked diligently to achieve this recognition for Sariaya also attended the ceremony. Adding to the accolades, Municipal Budget Officer Erickson Lorena was recognized as a finalist in the Search for Most Competitive CMCI Focal Person in the entire province.

Jomalig proudly claimed the title of Top 1 Most Improved LGU in Quezon Province for 2024 in the CMCI 5th and 6th Class Municipalities Category. This award signifies Jomalig's significant strides in enhancing its competitiveness and creating a more conducive environment for growth and development. Municipal Mayor Hon. Nelmar T. Sarmiento, along with Ms. Sheryl Cabrera, former Jomalig LGU MPDC, received the award in Lucena City.

Beyond the LGUs, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Region IV-A Quezon was also recognized for its contributions. The DICT received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Provincial Government of Quezon for its role as a member of the Provincial Competitiveness Committee (PCC).

The DICT's efforts played a key role in Quezon Province's overall success in the 2024 CMCI, contributing to the province's strong performance across the five categories evaluated: Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, Resiliency, and Innovation. All the winning municipalities and the DICT expressed their gratitude for the recognition and emphasized their commitment to public service and the continued development of Quezon Province.

The CMCI, a program implemented by the DTI-CB, evaluates LGUs across five categories: Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, Resiliency, and Innovation, to promote economic growth and competitiveness.