[ Manila Bulletin Online ] August 11, 2008
By MAR T. SUPNAD
TARLAC CITY — This component city is one of the most developed and improved mid-sized cities in the country.
This was shown by the findings of a survey conducted in 2007 by the Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Program of the Policy Center of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM).
The survey showed that Tarlac City, under the leadership of Mayor Genaro Mendoza, appeared to be one of the most progressive cities in terms of economic development in the mid-sized cities category.
Ahead by slim margin were highly urbanized cities such as Olongapo and General Santos cities which garnered 7.05 and 6.94 rating. Tarlac City got 6.80.
AIM based its findings on the following: Cost of Doing Business, Dynamism of Local Economy, Human Resource and Training, Infrastructure, Local Government Unit Responsiveness and Quality of Life.
"Ito lamang ang katunayan kung bakit patuloy na dinudumog ng mga naglalakihang negosyante ang ating lungsod, kaya naman ito ay dapat nating ipagpasalamat at ikarangal," Mayor Mendoza said.
This came as a the result of the people’s support for his various programs aimed at upgrading the province’s economy and living conditions of the people, the mayor said.
Among the various factors that contributed to the economic development of the city are the opening of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), the completion of the public market, and the imminent entry to the city of various establishments such as Robinsons and Shoemart.
City Administrator Glenn Troy Caritativo said that the recognition given by AIM to the city is a symbol of renewed trust and confidence of the traders in the city government.
"Noong una ay ang pagkilala ng Commission on Audit sa atin bilang pinakamalakas na lungsod sa larangan ng kita sa buong rehiyon, at itong panibagong karangalang ito ay nagpapatunay lamang ng pananagana ng mga programang pinasimulan ng ating alkalde," the city administrator said.
