Results of the latest ranking by the Asian Institute of Management Policy Center showed Davao City beating local government units in the capital Metro Manila. In the last survey two years ago, Davao City was tied for No. 1 with Makati City, the nation’s premier financial center.
A total of 90 local government units were included in the survey, metropolitan, mid-sized and small cities. Davao City topped two of six key competitive drivers and scored the highest rate among highly urbanized cities.
Key drivers:
Cost of doing business – No. 1 – Davao City
Infrastructure – No. 1 – Davao City
Dynamism of local economy – No. 1 – Makati City; No. 4 – Davao City
Quality of life – No. 1 – Mandaluyong City; No. 7 – Davao City
Responsiveness of local government – No. 1 – San Juan City; No. 3 – Davao City
Human resources & training – No. 1 – Marikina City; No. 7 – Davao City
Overall among the metro cities:
1. Davao City
2. Quezon City
3. Makati City
4. Manila City
5. Marikina City
6. Lapu-lapu City
7. Paranaque City
8. Muntinlupa City
9. Cebu City
10. Pasay City
Olongapo City topped the mid-sized cities while San Fernando, La Union was No. 1 among small cities.
Noteworthy is Davao City’s improvement in two key drivers – Responsiveness of the local government – ranked No. 6 in 2005 to No. 3, and in Human resources and training – from No. 11 in 2005 to No. 7.
(Data from Councilor Pete Lavina of Davao City)