The National Competitiveness Committee held its 6th Roadshow at Tarlac City last July, continuing the theme of "Boosting Regional Competitiveness through Public-Private Partnership.” Co-organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Region III Central Luzon, the event attracted over 200 guests from the business community, national government agencies, local government units, and academic institutions.

DTI-Tarlac Provincial Director Agnes Ramirez took the opportunity to update the guests on the status of the country and the importance of competitiveness and public-private partnership.

In the same line, Alice B. De Vera, President of International Wiring Systems Realty Corp. (IWS), underscored the importance of streamlining and setting quality standards to acquire a competitive edge. She also shared the story of how IWS became one of the biggest conglomerates in the Philippines.

As a testament to the business-friendliness of his town, Vice Mayor Holden Sembrano of Gerona, Tarlac also reported that it only takes two and a half hours to secure a business permit in the area.

As further proof, Sarah C. Lope, DTI Assistant Division Chief of the Center for Industrial Competitiveness and NCC Budget and Transparency Working Group Program Officer, presented Tarlac’s standing on the Cities/Municipalities Competitiveness Index, a standard set of indicators developed by the NCC and the United States Agency for International Development to help LGUs assess their competitiveness and business environment. Most cities and municipalities in Central Luzon scored well on the business registration indicator. Tarlac City, in particular, made it to the top 50 competitive cities. Also making it to the top 50 competitive municipalities were Camiling and Paniqui.