Officials of the provincial government of Quezon visited the province of Rizal for a benchmarking activity aimed at strengthening each other's ties and cooperation in improving their governance techniques and initiatives. According to Rizal Governor Nina Ynares, the two local government units (LGUs) shared important insights, ideas, tips, and programs on how they could both improve the delivery of services to their constituents. "At katulad ng iba pa nating mga naging bisita tulad ng provincial government ng La Union, provincial government ng Camarines Norte at provincial government ng Agusan Del Sur, sana po nakatulong ang mga natutunan nyo sa aming lalawigan para mas mapaunlad at maisulong ang mas mabuting pamamahala para sa ating mga kababayan (Just like in the previous visits of the provincial governments of La Union, Camarines Norte, and Agusan Del Sur to our province, we hope that what you learned from our province may be implemented in your own local government to further boost and promote good governance to your citizens)," Ynares said. She thanked Quezon Governor Helen Tan for choosing to conduct her LGU's benchmarking activity in Rizal. In October last year, Rizal was recognized by the national government as the most competitive province in the country for seven straight years during the 10th Cities and Municipalities Competitive Summit of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). "Pang 7th streak na po tayong nanalo as Top 1 sa buong bansa dahil nakamit po nating muli ang pinakamataas na overall score base sa five pillars na itinakda ng Competitiveness Bureau ng DTI, namely: Economic Dynamism; Government Efficiency; Infrastructure; Resiliency; and Innovation (This is the 7th time the province won as the Top 1 in the country because we have achieved the highest overall score based on the five pillars designated by the Competitiveness Bureau of the DTI, namely: Economic Dynamism; Government Efficiency; Infrastructure; Resiliency; and Innovation)," the governor said. She congratulated the city of Antipolo for being recognized as the Overall Most Competitive City during the summit, and the municipalities of Taytay and Cainta for bagging the Top 1 and Top 3 municipalities, respectively. The summit uses the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) which is an annual ranking of Philippine cities and municipalities developed by the National Competitiveness Council through the Regional Competitiveness Committees (RCCs) with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The localities' index can be used in the following sectors: Public Sector: The index can be used as a diagnostic tool by local government officials to assess the competitiveness of their city or municipality and identify areas for improvement and collaboration. Data can provide insight for policy making, development planning, and investment promotion. Private Sector: For the business community, the index can serve as a guide in deciding where to locate. Aside from the overall score, data on the different indicators will prove valuable depending on the specific needs of their business. Academe: The index also paints a general picture of Philippine cities and municipalities which may be used by the academe, civil society, and even tourists as a take-off point for further research.