Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on Monday welcomed this highly-urbanized city’s rise in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2025 rankings, reaching 518th spot this year from only 538th in 2024.

“This leap reflects our city’s steady gains in economic strength, human capital, quality of life, environment, and governance –a strong sign that Bacolod is moving forward with purpose and progress,” Benitez said in a statement on Monday.

Benitez, who was elected congressman in the May 12 elections after serving as city mayor for one term, urged Bacolodnons to “keep building a smarter, stronger, and more sustainable Bacolod.”

In a separate statement, the city’s Department of Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion said the improvement shown by Bacolod, rising 20 places higher in the global rankings, reflects its growing economic strength and competitiveness.

“It highlights the progress of Bacolod in livability, governance, and long-term development potential,” it said.

The Oxford Economics Global Cities Index evaluates 1,000 cities worldwide based on economic performance and long-term growth potential.

Rankings are determined across five key categories –economics, human capital, quality of life, environment, and governance.

Bacolod ranked 508th in economics, 727th in human capital, 599th in quality of life, 29th in environment, and 604th in governance.

This year’s global rankings released last week showed Bacolod surpassing other major Philippine cities, including Davao (519th), Cagayan de Oro (577th), Dagupan (581st), and General Santos (835th).

Oxford Economics is the world’s foremost independent economic advisory firm, covering over 200 countries, over 100 industrial sectors, and 8,000 cities and regions.

It provides insights and solutions that enable clients to make intelligent and responsible business decisions faster in an increasingly complex and uncertain world. (PNA)