By Anthony S. Allada

The tremendous and horrible effects of the series of strong earthquakes last year did not hamper the local government of Magsaysay (Davao del Sur) to bag again the prestigious 3rd place award for the Most Competitive Municipality for Resiliency (3rd and 4th Class).

Magsaysay defied the odds and once again recognized nationally during the 8th Regional Competitiveness Summit Awarding Ceremony today via Facebook Live. 

The Department of Trade Industry is the lead agency to hold the annual event.

It institutionalized the Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index (CMCI) as the annual ranking of Philippine Cities and Municipalities developed by the National Competitive Council thru Regional Competitive Committees with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development.

Four convergent pillars were used as indicators in forming the framework behind the CMCI, to wit: Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure and Resiliency.

In this year's awarding ceremony for the category where Magsaysay became the third placer, the second place went to Pagsanjan in Laguna and first place was bagged by Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur.

Resiliency is the capacity of a locality to facilitate businesses and industries to create jobs, raise productivity and increase the incomes of citizens over time despite of the shocks.

And Magsaysay is an icon of a resilient locality with its people rising above all the challenges.

Mayor Arthur Davin has remained an epitome of hope and a catalyst of change.