12 Central Luzon cities, towns among PH’s most competitive LGUs By Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu

Baler, Aurora ranks third overall in the 3^rd to 6^th Class Municipalities category. The municipal Business Permit and Licensing Office officials receive the recognition from Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez. (DTI Region 3)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Oct.26 (PIA) -- A total of 12 cities and towns in Central Luzon were recognized for being among the country’s most competitive local government units (LGUs).

The award was bestowed in a ceremony held in Pasay City during the 7^th Regional Competitiveness Summit.

“The awardees were recognized for being in the top rank among more than 1,600 LGUs in terms of different competitiveness pillars namely economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure and resilience,” Department of Trade and Industry Regional Director Judith P. Angeles said.

Baliwag in Bulacan ranked third overall in the 1^st to 2^nd Class Municipalities category. Baliwag placed first in terms of infrastructure while fellow Bulacan towns Plaridel landed first and Santa Maria second in the economic dynamism pillar.

Baler in Aurora ended third overall in the 3^rd to 6^th Class Municipalities category. Bacolor in Pampanga was second in terms of economic dynamism and San Simon in Pampanga took the first spot in the government efficiency pillar.

San Simon, Pampanga takes the first spot in the government efficiency pillar under the 3^rd to 6^th Class Municipalities category. Mayor Abundio ‘Jun” Punsalan receives the recognition from Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez. (DTI Region 3)

Moreover, awarded as Most Improved LGUs were Angeles (second in the Highly Urbanized Cities category), Meycauayan (first in the Component Cities category), San Jose del Monte (third in the Component Cities category), Plaridel in Bulacan (first in the 1^st to 2^nd Class Municipalities category), Pandi in Bulacan (second in the 1^st to 2^nd Class Municipalities category), Santa Rosa in Nueva Ecija (third in the 1^st to 2^nd Class Municipalities category) and Peñaranda in Nueva Ecija (second in the 3^rd to 6^th Class Municipalities category. (CLJD-PIA 3)