CO-Chairman Guillermo Luz of the National Competitiveness Council of the Philippines said that Iloilo City may have learned its lessons from the onslaughts of super typhoon Frank in 2008 which resulted to zero casualty and minimal damages during the devastation of typhoon Yolanda.

Luz said Iloilo quickly recovered from its losses, recognizing the effective disaster and risk reduction management and preparedness of the city.

Five years after typhoon Frank, the city recently emerged as number 2 in overall competitiveness ranking of top 10 cities in the Philippines with a balanced scorecard.

Cagayan de Oro in northern Mindanao emerged as number 1, while San Fernando City in Pampanga emerged as number 3. The other top cities are Butuan City in the Caraga Region, Bacolod City in Western Visayas, Koronadal in the Soccsksargen Region, San Fernando, La Union in the Ilocos Region, Olongado City in Central Luzon, Naga City in the Bicol Region, and Marikina City in the National Capital Region.

Luz said the city made some adjustments after the typhoon disaster and the resiliency of the city’s local government unit in disaster preparedness paid off with a highly recommended livable city in the country.

Speaking at the NCC Roadshow on Friday, Luz said the theme “Boosting Regional Competitiveness through Public-Private Partnership” is expected to enhance the competitiveness standing of the cities, provinces, and municipalities of Iloilo and the rest of local government units in the country.

The damages of typhoon Yolanda will impact on social slowdown of Iloilo areas, but this will also challenge the LGUs to push for local impact projects such as the domestic tourism industry.

More assets were destroyed by the typhoon in the private sector in Iloilo and the rest of Panay provinces and there is an urgent need to pump prime the fisheries sector and the whole local economy especially in the northern Iloilo, Luz added.

Original Source: www.sunstar.com.ph