BACOLOD CITY — City officials, led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia, have agreed that cooperation among them has made Bacolod reap recognition from prestigious institutions, making it one of the most competitive cities in the country, and the number one highly-urbanized city (HUC) in the Visayas.
“We wanted to highlight the fact that when our city officials are working together, or at least the majority is cooperating with each other, this would be the result,” the mayor said during a press conference at the Bacolod City Government Center on Monday.
Leonardia was joined by Rep. Greg Gasataya, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Councilors Renecito Novero, Em Ang, Cindy Rojas, Elmer Sy, Dindo Ramos, and Bartolome Orola during the press conference.
They presented the plaque received by the City of Bacolod as the third Most Improved Local Government Unit (LGU) in the HUCs category of the 2018 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index.
In the latest ranking released by the National Competitiveness Council, Bacolod jumped to eighth from the 20th spot last year on the Overall Most Competitive HUCs list.
This put Bacolod in first place among the HUCs in the Visayas, ahead of Cebu, which placed ninth.
Iloilo City was first as the Most Improved LGU among the HUCs, but was only 11th overall.
The ranking was based on the sum of the LGUs’ scores in four pillars — Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, and Resiliency.
“What we find very inspiring and significant is, with this ranking it means that in the whole Visayas, we are the number one highly-urbanized city in terms of competitiveness,” Leonardia said. “We’re already number eight overall, which is near to where we used to be, which is the Top 5.”
Gasataya said he assures the mayor of continued cooperation in the implementation of projects and programs for Bacolod.
“(It is) my commitment to ensure there is a harmonious relationship, as well as political stability in the city to promote faster growth for Bacolod,” the lawmaker added.
Familiaran said the recognition as one of the Top 10 most competitive cities in the Philippines is another milestone for Bacolod.
“This will inspire us to do better than our best,” the vice mayor said.
In 2017, Bacolod received the Top Philippine Model City award from The Manila Times.
This year, Bacolod was first runner-up, or second behind Davao City, and received a special recognition as the Most Business-Friendly City. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
