Kidapawan City in Top 20 PH competitive cities

KIDAPAWAN CITY (Sept. 3/NDBC)-- Kidapawan City has been included in the National Competitiveness Council’s (NCC) list of the top 50 competitive cities in the country.NCC said Kidapawan City has landed on the 16th place because of its governance efficiency, economic dynamism, and infrastructure development.The NCC was formed in October 2006 as a Public-Private Task Force on Philippine Competitiveness to address the improvement of the country’s competitiveness.It was organized by virtue of Presidential Executive Order Number 571, amended by EO Number 44.The NCC focuses on 11 areas expected to improve the country’s competitiveness, which include education and human resources development performance governance system streamlined business permits and licensing system Philippine Business Registry Customs/National single window infrastructure power and energy transparency in budget delivery anti-corruption ICT Governance Framework and judicial reform.Data showed that the city garnered the most number of points in terms of governance efficiency.A case cited in the report is public safety which is considered as the city’s banner program on ensuring peace and order.In fact, City Mayor Joseph Evangelista, after he assumed the post, created a cluster on public safety, which is composed of the Kidapawan City Philippine National Police, Traffic Management Unit, and the Emergency 911 Center.He was also cited by his prudent use of government funds in the delivery of basic services in education, health, and nutrition.The local government was also recognized for making the city a vibrant hub for investments. The NCC used as proof the number of business licenses and permits granted to several investors and traders, both from the local and outside the city.The ongoing road rehabilitation programs, which included street lighting projects, have given the LGU good reviews in terms of infrastructure development.The NCC has awarded the plaque and certificate of recognition to Mayor Evangelista during the meeting of the Regional Development Council Region 12 in Koronadal City.