By Robbie Pangilinan
Almost four years after Yolanda pounded the city and left thousands dead and millions-worth of damage in its wake, Tacloban has been awarded first place for being the Most Improved Local Government Unit among the Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) during the 5th Regional Competitiveness Summit.
Tacloban City Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez received the award during the summit held on August 16 at the Philippine International Convention Center, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Metro Manila.
“In Tacloban we know how far we have reached and how strong we have become as we worked together to iprove the city the past years, but being recognized as such is a great honor. I share this award to the Taclobanons, they truly deserve this recognition,” said the mayor.
Tacloban bested other HUCs by the standards of the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index.
Present during the awarding are Department of Interior and Local Government Usec. Austere Panadero, Private Sector Co-Chairman of the National Competitiveness Council Guillermo “Bill” Luz, Director-Site Acquisition and Management Network Technical Group Vincent Tempongko, Department of Trade and Industry Usec. Ruth B. Castelo, City Administrator Atty. Irene Chiu, OIC City Budget Officer Vicente Dy, Assistant City Treasurer Fe Napoles, Local Economic and Investment Promotions Officer (LEIPO) Janis Claire Salvacion and city employees.
