The AIM noted that San Fernando, Baguio and
Tacloban further south are the most ''livable cities
in the survey'' because of their relatively calm
social order, and immediate access to basic
utilities, health care, and education.
Baguio, Angeles and Iloilo were considered some of
the more dynamic cities because of a high rate of
construction between 1995 and 1998, ''indicating
moving economies,'' AIM said.
But land cost in the countryside, while still the
cheapest compared to other Asian cities, is ''offset
by the high cost of transport and electricity, which
is the second highest in Asia.''
Baguio lost most of its advantage because of real
estate scarcity, making General Santos and Davao
lead with the ''most affordable industrial
properties.''
''Businessmen looking to expand their electronic
commerce division might want to look into Baguio,
San Fernando, Angeles and Tacloban where
availability of telephone lines averages at about
178 lines per 1,000 population,'' Pinoy magazine
noted.
But only Davao is ranked at the top of being
''consistently accessible'' due to a modern airport,
while Iloilo stands out among the 10 cities for its
comparatively high ratio of banks.
General Santos is the most ''business-friendly''
among the cities ''as evidenced by the
considerable amount of investment it has seen
over the five-year period between 1994 and 1998,''
the magazine said.
Angeles boasts of the most affordable telephone
systems, the notoriety for delivering the most
number of fast food burgers, and the only city in
the list with the most roads.
Iligan City claims the most expensive business
rates, although it ''performs extremely well in the
economic arena.''
Cagayan de Oro ranks first for hosting ''the most
business support services,'' but also carries some
notoriety for a high crime rate.
Iloilo boasts of the biggest percentage of
college-trained labor force, scoring with a 98
percent literacy rate, although its competitiveness
is impaired by an average power rate cost of
P160,000 monthly average per 37,000
kilowatt-hour consumed.
Zamboanga, a strategic industrial hub, has a
controlled population growth ratio ''with only 361
people per square kilometer,'' and a low 3 percent
squatter population. But its logistics remain at the
tail end of many cities in the list.
The future cities of the Philippines still honored
Baguio for its redemption.
Following the devastating July 16, 1990
earthquake, where a toppled Hyatt Terraces Hotel
in the city became the international image of the
tragedy, Baguio managed to revive a fumbling
economy.
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