DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez MANILA - Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez has announced that the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) is adding a new pillar in the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) for next year. Lopez said the Council has introduced the innovation pillar this year and will be included as the fifth pillar in the scoring and ranking for next year's CMCI. "Now more than ever, we realize the importance of innovation. They have played a crucial role in keeping societies functional in times of quarantines or lockdowns. The same technologies would be needed as we restart the economy and prepare for the post-crisis future," he said Tuesday. CMCI is an annual ranking of cities and municipalities in the country that tracks the competitiveness of local government units, gauging their economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure, and resiliency. "We emphasize the importance of the innovation pillar as LGUs (local government units) are starting to focus now on strengthening their own innovation policies and programs and finding ways on how new technologies could be used to address issues pertaining to business registrations, permits, productivity or financial deepening," Lopez said. The DTI chief added that innovation would help LGUs to expand their local economies. During the Inclusive Innovation Conference 2021 Wednesday, Lopez underscored the message of President Rodrigo Duterte on innovation as the country's growth driver in the coming years. "As President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said earlier this year, 'Innovation is our big push. This will keep our country on the growth path for decades to come'," he said. Data from the Anti-Red Tape Authority showed that as of September 30 this year, 917 out of 1,600 LGUs are using the Integrated Business Permits and Licensing System (IBPLS) software developed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology. The IBPLS aims to help LGUs to automate their permitting and licensing systems for ease in transacting with the government. "Let us all continue to promote excellence and competitiveness through innovation," Lopez said. (PNA) }