DAVAO City was hailed as the third Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City in the country, a notch higher compared to the city's rank in 2018.
Davao City follows Quezon City and Manila City that placed first and second, respectively.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Competitiveness Bureau released the result of the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness 2019 Thursday, October 24, in time for the 7th Regional Competitiveness Summit.
Davao placed second in economic dynamism and third in government efficiency, infrastructure, and resilience indicators.
DTI-Davao Director Maria BelendaAmbi described this as a good performance for the city this time, considering that it topped in the four pillars.
Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. president Arturo Milan said the chamber is very proud of the city's achievement and appraised the efforts of Davao City's leaders for making it possible.
"We commend the Davao City Government led by Mayor Sara and Vice Mayor Baste for its exemplary performance in the areas of Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, and Resiliency," said Milan.
He said Davao is the only city outside Manila that consistently placed in the Top 5 Most Competitive in the Highly Urbanized Cities category in the last three years.
Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) deputy executive director Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro said the result proved that Davao City continues to be a conducive place for local and international investments.
"This latest achievement is a concrete reaffirmation of Davao City's immense viability as trade, investment, and tourism destination, being strategically located as the country's gateway to BIMP-Eaga (Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area) and Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)," said Montenegro.
"Minda Secretary Emmanuel Piñol feels elated over the impressive showing of several local government units in Mindanao, pointing to the emergence of the highly effective performance of their local leaders," he added.
Montenegro said it is also an indication of a strong and thriving private sector in propelling economic growth in partnership with the local government.
Davao City Tourism Operations officer Generose Tecson said the result recognizes the city's development and progress.
Tecson said the number of tourists increased by 18 percent, as well as the meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (Mice) being held in the city in 2018.
"Well, 18 percent po ang itinaas ng number of tourists natin in 2018. And the number of Mice also increased. People come to Davao to attend conventions and meetings," she said.
She also acknowledged the contribution of the people of Davao on this achievement.
"Although there are still more things the City Government is working on in order for everyone to have a more comfortable life, the support and cooperation of the Dabawenyos will make things happen for the city," Tecson said.
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.