“Bacolod is the most competitive city in the Visayas in 2020,” Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia announced in a press release today, December 20.
This is based on data released by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC), with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development, on the 2020 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI), an annual ranking of Philippine cities and municipalities, he said.
The rankings are based on the four pillars for governmental competitiveness: Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, and Resiliency, the press release said.
The Top 20 most competitive cities were led by Manila, Davao, and Pasay, while Bacolod ranked 11th. This, however, means that Bacolod has a higher rating than Iloilo and Cebu, which landed 12th and 13th, respectively, it added.
“This is a big morale booster for the fact that we continue to rank among the most competitive cities of the country inspite of the serious crisis we went through in the fight against COVID-19,” Leonardia said.
“This gives us valid reasons to be optimistic that when this crisis is over, we can surely put Bacolod back on track and continue the rapid growth we were enjoying before the pandemic upset the economy,” the mayor added.
Completing the Top 10 are Makati, Muntinlupa, Pasig, Cagayan de Oro, Valenzuela, Caloocan, and Parañaque cities.
Also ranked in the top 20, from 14th to 20th, are Mandaluyong, Zamboanga, General Santos, Puerto Princesa, Mandaue, Baguio, and Las Piñas cities.*