The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) awarded outstanding local government units (LGUs) which made it to the prestigious Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) ranking for 2022.

The awarding was done during the 10^th CMCI Summit held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on October 20. 

For Overall Most Competitive LGU, Baler, Aurora ranked second place among 3^rd to 4^th Class Municipalities category while Baliwag Bulacan ranked second place among 1^st to 2^nd Class Municipalities. 

Samal, Bataan garnered First Place for Government Efficiency Pillar Award among 3^rd to 4^th Class Municipalities followed by Bagac, Bataan on second place for the same category. Meanwhile Moncada, Tarlac ranked second place among 1^st to 2^nd Class Municipalities.

Other Central Luzon LGUs awarded were the Municipalities of Morong, Bataan and San Manuel, Tarlac, which ranked 2^nd and 3^rd place, respectively, among 3^rd to 4^th Class Municipalities. 

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 (RCCs) with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The CMCI is measured based on the LGU’s excellence in the five pillars of economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure, resiliency, and innovation to inspire and encourage them to attract investors in their localities to boost the local economy. (DTI)