By David Vera
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently recognized Tacloban City for its achievements in the 2024 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI), underscoring the city’s commitment to effective governance and resilience. Tacloban ranked 10th among the Most Improved Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) and placed 9th in government efficiency, reflecting its focus on public service and sustainable development. City Councilor Dr. Elvira Casal and City Planning and Development Coordinator EnP Janis Claire Canta accepted the awards, continuing the city’s trend of high rankings, having consistently placed in the top 20 Most Improved HUCs since 2016.
Tacloban’s growth and resilience are noteworthy given its vulnerability to natural disasters. Known for its recovery efforts following Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in 2013, the city has since built resilient infrastructure and implemented policies to support sustainable development. Under Mayor Alfred Romualdez’s leadership, Tacloban has strengthened its infrastructure, adopted disaster preparedness measures, and promoted economic initiatives to enhance its competitiveness.
Tacloban’s progress in the CMCI highlights collaborative efforts between the local government, private sector, and community organizations to improve service delivery and economic resilience. This recognition showcases Tacloban as a model in Eastern Visayas, demonstrating how committed governance can drive improvements in quality of life and economic growth.