DAGUPAN City received four awards in the 3^rd Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index in Region 1 given by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for its capability to attract investments.

The city won first place each in the areas of Infrastructures, Government Efficiency, Economic Dynamism and Over-all Competitiveness under the component cities category.

Mayor Belen Fernandez said she appreciated the recognition given the city that proves as proof “that we are compliant utilizing the yardstick by which competitiveness in cities and municipalities are measured”.

She recalled that when she assumed as mayor in 2013, the city has negative P37-million in their budget but managed to recover by applying the ease of doing business.

“Now in the city of Dagupan, one can apply and get a business permit within an hour, Fernandez said. ”If you’re a new business, you can get the permit within a day,” she added.

She added that their investments and development board welcomed all investors to come into the city,” Fernandez said.

DTI Regional Director Florante Leal told local newsmen that Dagupan won the awards because it has shown that the necessary ingredients to do business are already in place and “the city is progressive because of the support from the local government.”

Leal said the awards are given annually to recognize local government units’ initiatives to improve the condition of doing business in their respective areas.

Leal pointed out that one of the reasons that either draws or drives away an investor in a town depends on the convenience of getting business or mayor’s permit, or the support needed for a business to grow.

“We recognize the top performers in our region,” he said, adding that “this award is enough motivation for them to even succeed even better”.

Last year, only half joined of the Region 1 LGUs in the competition but the number rose to 125 LGUs this year. (Eva Visperas)

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