QC named most competitive Philippine city; Davao ranks third

MANILA, Philippines -  Quezon City has emerged as the country’s most competitive highly urbanized city for the second consecutive year.

The National Competitiveness Council (NCC) recognized the top local government units (LGUs) during the 5th Annual Regional Competitiveness Summit yesterday.

Manila, which was last year’s third most competitive city, placed second in this year’s rankings.

Makati, a two-time recipient of the award and last year’s second placer, was ousted from the top three by Davao City, President Duterte’s hometown.

The LGUs were scored in terms of economic dynamism, government efficiency and infrastructure, according to NCC co-chairman Guillermo Luz.

For this year’s edition, the NCC added a resiliency component in the scorecard to make the rankings at par with those of other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Manila topped the government efficiency component while Quezon City and Davao City reigned in the pillars of infrastructure and resiliency, respectively.

Makati became part of the top three in the economic dynamism component but was left out in the other metrics.

The NCC also recognized the top municipalities and provinces in the country.

Rizal was named this year’s most competitive province, followed by South Cotabato and Cavite.

Cainta, Taytay and Angono – all in Rizal – were hailed as the best first to second class municipalities.

The top three most competitive third to sixth class municipalities were Baler in Aurora, Mambajao in Camiguin and Tayug in Pangasinan, respectively.

In terms of component cities, the most competitive were Antipolo, Naga in Camarines Sur, and Tagum in Davao del Norte.

The NCC said more than 1,500 LGUs participated this year.