Bacolod City’s strong and sustained partnership with the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) community has been recognized by the IT Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) by honoring Bacolod as the 2025 Outstanding Local Government Unit (LGU) Partner in the Regional Category of the Solaia Awards.
Frances Mae Llamas, head of the city’s Department of Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (D-LEDIP), said in a statement Friday, June 13, that the award is “a milestone and testament” to the leadership of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez that showed continued support to ensure the growth of the IT-BPM industry.
“It is a recognition of our collective efforts to strengthen the ease of doing business, foster investor confidence, and advance the IT-BPM ecosystem marked by innovation, effective governance, and strong public-private collaboration,” she said.
Bacolod City was the lone awardee in the Regional Category, while Pasig City was named Outstanding LGU Partner in the National Capitol Region Category.
Llamas received the award on behalf of the city government during the ceremony held at Shangri-La The Fort in Taguig City Wednesday night.
She said the recognition “highlights the unwavering commitment of Bacolod City to fostering innovation, enabling industry growth, and building a future-ready ecosystem for digital and economic transformation.”
“It also shows the city’s commitment to digital innovation, inclusive growth, and private-public collaboration, which are the key pillars of its journey toward becoming a super city.”
About 40,000 full-time employees work in 17 companies in the IT-BPM sector in Bacolod City.
The Solaia Awards, now In its second year, honors the most progressive companies, groundbreaking innovations, and transformative partnerships shaping the future of the country’s IT-BPM sector.*PNA