For the fourth year running, Quezon City has clinched the title of the most competitive highly urbanized city in the Philippines, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The city’s continued dominance in the 2024 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index highlights its exceptional performance across a range of critical areas, earning it a suite of prestigious awards.
A Record of Excellence
Quezon City's outstanding achievements were celebrated at the Manila Hotel last week, where it was honored with five key awards. The city received the Overall Most Competitive Local Government Unit award in the Highly Urbanized Category, underscoring its overall superiority in urban management. In addition to this top honor, Quezon City excelled in the Infrastructure category, securing the first-place spot. The city also achieved impressive results in Innovation and Resiliency, placing second and third in these respective categories.
Mayor Joy Belmonte, who personally accepted the awards, expressed her pride in the city's accomplishments. “These recognitions affirm the good work of the city government for the welfare of all QCitizens,” Belmonte noted. She dedicated the awards to the city’s hardworking staff and the residents who have supported the city's vision and initiatives.
Indicators of Success
The DTI’s rankings are based on five key indicators: economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure, resiliency, and innovation. Quezon City’s strong showing in these areas was marked by a notable fourth-place ranking in both economic dynamism and government efficiency. This reflects the city’s successful efforts in fostering economic growth and ensuring effective governance.
The city’s ability to maintain high standards in infrastructure and resilience further solidifies its reputation as a leader in urban development. Quezon City's strategic approach to balancing these elements has been central to its sustained success, reinforcing its position as a model for other urban centers.
Comparative Insights
In the overall rankings for highly urbanized cities, Quezon City was followed by Manila, Pasay, and Muntinlupa, with other cities like Iloilo and Davao also making notable appearances. For provincial rankings, Rizal emerged as the top performer, with Laguna and Davao del Norte also ranking highly. Among component cities, Naga City in Camarines Sur led the list, while Cainta in Rizal excelled among first to second class municipalities.
