The meaning of the
AIM 2005 survey E

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJADA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor ERIC T. LORETIZO Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The recent announcement of the results of the survey conducted by the Policy Center of the prestigious Asian Institute of Management and the awarding of those who had done well in it is a very encouraging sign for the local government units involved.

The AIM study was undertaken with the support and assistance of such noted international organizations as the United States Agency for International Development, the German Technical Cooperation Unit, and the Asia Foundation. The study is known as the Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project and covered the year 2005.

Bacolod City was among the top five medium-sized cities, or cities with populations of more than 200,000. It also was number one in the area of quality of life, and in adequacy and quality of infrastructure. Other criteria on which the choices were based were human resource and training, dynamism of local economy, cost of doing business, and responsiveness of local governance.

Bacolod City, to the pride and gratefulness of its people, passed all these in the evaluation undertaken by the survey.

As the study also pointed out, the cities were categorized and evaluated based on size and population. But, it added, those chosen are considered to be the most competitive in nurturing an environment that makes people and businesses most productive. The evaluation had also included the perceptions of leaders of small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the area.

It was also stressed by the head of the project that no ranking was made in order to foster healthy competition. For those cited, however, the recognition can only mean benefits to its development and outreach plans, that are immeasurable. For this, we congratulate our officials and our people who, we hope, will continue to do all they can to keep our city always among the best of them all.*