Western Visayas garnered 14 awards, the most number received among  regions, during the 6th Regional Competitiveness Summit held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila. Awards were given to provinces, highly-urbanized/component cities and municipalities who fared well in the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI).

The CMCI is an annual ranking of local government units developed by the National Competitiveness Council through the Regional Competitiveness Committees, with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development.  Rankings are based on scores in 4 Pillars: Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, and Resiliency. Provincial rankings are based on the population and income weighted average of the overall scores of cities and municipalities under a province.

The following awards were given to cities and municipalities in Western Visayas who were ranked top 3 overall among the LGUs in their categories:

Overall Most Competitive Municipalities (1^st and 2^nd Class)
3^rd place – Malay, Aklan

Overall Most Competitive Municipalities (3^rd to 6th Class)
3^rd place – Pontevedra, Negros Occidental

Award for Government Efficiency (1^st and 2^nd Class Municipalities)
3^rd place – San Jose, Antique

Award for Infrastructure (1^st and 2^nd Class Municipalities)
1^st place – Malay, Aklan

Award for Infrastructure (3^rd to 6^th Class Municipalities)
2^nd place – Pontevedra, Negros Occidental

Award for Resilience for (1^st and 2^nd Class Municipalities)
3^rd  place –  Lambunao, Iloilo

 Most Improved Cities (Highly Urbanized Cities)
1^st place – Iloilo City
3^rd place – Bacolod City

Most Improved Cities (Component Urbanized Cities)
2^nd place – Cadiz, Negros Occidental

Most Improved Municipalities (1^st and 2^nd Class)
1^st place –  San Jose, Antique
2^nd place – Kalibo, Aklan
3^rd  place  ^–  Sibalom, Antique

Most Improved Municipalities (3^rd to 6th Class)
1^st place –  Malinao, Aklan
3^rd place –  Dao, Capiz

Regional Directors Rebecca A. Rascon of DTI, Ro-Ann A. Bacal of NEDA, and Anthony S. Nuyda of DILG witnessed the awarding of plaques to Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia of Bacolod City, Mayor Jose Espinosa III of lloilo City, municipal mayors and their contingent representatives.

The recognition serves to continually inspire LGUs to improve on their operation systems and databases that will help track their level of competitiveness compared to their peers.  Being recognized as a competitive LGU is one of the factors considered by investors when looking for sites for their projects or business ventures.