Senator Francis Pangalinan and League of Cities President Mayor Jerry Treñas of Iloilo congratulated Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia for the award Bacolod City received as one of the cities regarded as most competitive and most viable for business in the Philippines.

Bacolod, along with Batangas, Iligan, Iloilo and San Fernando-Pampanga topped the 2005 survey conducted the Asian Institute of Management, in cooperation with the USAID, the Asia Foundation and the German Technical Cooperation.

The awarding rites were held at the International Hotel in Makati last month.

Bacolod ranked number one in Quality of Life and Infrastructure and Iloilo in Dynamism of Local Economy. Other criteria were Cost of Doing Business, Human Resource and Training, Responsiveness of Local Government, and Linkages to Major Urban and Growth centers.

Pangalinan congratulated Leonardia for being "one of the innovative public servants that our countrymen are lucky to have at their service." He also said his abilities as a "dedicated, inspired and creative economic and development manager will certainly drive Bacolod City to greater heights, and will help the people overcome the many obstacles that they may face."

"I commend you for your continued public service and vision. The dreams of the people in your city will be realized under your leadership," Pangalinan said.

Treñas, himself an awardee, said that "though this is reason enough to celebrate, let us not be complacent for being identified as one of the country's most competitive cities. But let this be an inspiration for us to strive more for our respective cities and constituents in particular and our country in general," in his letter to Leonardia.*CGS

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