‘WE’RE ON TRACK’: Benitez highlights Bacolod’s inclusion in Oxford study

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY — “We’re on the right track.” This was Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez’s reaction after Bacolod was included among eight other Philippine cities in Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index 2024.

In a press briefing Monday, Benitez expressed his surprise at the inclusion, noting that Bacolod is smaller compared to the highly-urbanized cities listed above it.

“This recognition is proof of the city’s development. It’s from a reputable and independent organization,” he said.

Benitez noted that visitors are often impressed by Bacolod’s development and the vibrancy of its communities. “They’re happy,” he added.

Bacolod has been recognized as one of the top 30 cities globally committed to environmental sustainability, securing the 12th position. It also ranked 739th in Human Capital, which measures the population’s knowledge and skills.

Additionally, Bacolod claimed the 695th spot in the Quality of Life category, which includes metrics such as life expectancy, housing expenditure, income per person, recreational and cultural sites, income equality, and internet speed. In economic terms, Bacolod secured the 546th position, which considers economic size, structure, and growth.

Benitez emphasized the importance of economic development, citing several township and mall developments that generate jobs.

“We have to ensure that the city has enough available jobs to sustain all these developments or else we will be like a go-stop,” he said.

Bacolod ranked 538th overall in the Global Cities Index, making it the sole city from Western Visayas included in the study.

It trailed behind Manila, which ranked 256th, Cebu City at 436, Cagayan de Oro at 487, Davao at 500, Angeles at 502, Dagupan at 604, Zamboanga at 695, and General Santos at 723.

The Oxford Economics Global Cities Index assesses the 1,000 largest cities in the world based on 27 indicators across five categories: Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment, and Governance.