Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Davao del Sur is the most competitive province in the Philippines, according to this year’s Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC).
Davao del Sur is the first province to receive the award, a new category in this year’s CMCI.
The province of Misamis Oriental came in second, while Cebu bagged third place.
Gov. Claude Bautista helped Davao del Sur improve road networks in the rural areas and enhance public health care programs and agri-infrastructure facilities.
Bautista has declared that he would no longer run for governor in 2016 and would instead concentrate on his hometown in Malita, but Davao del Sur residents are urging him to seek reelection.
Meanwhile, Manila was hailed as the country’s most competitive city. Rounding out the top five are Makati, Cebu, Quezon, and Davao.
General Trias in Cavite was recognized as the most competitive municipality.
