Selected Cities based on The 2024 rankings of highly urbanized cities

RANK LGU PROVINCE REGION CBD Recognized

1 Quezon (MM) Metro Manila NCR - National Capital Region

historical and cultural

2 Metro Manila NCR - National Capital Region sites, government
Manila
institutions, and
educational centers

3 Pasay Metro Manila NCR - National Capital Region

4 Muntinlupa Metro Manila NCR - National Capital Region

5 Iloilo Iloilo REGION VI (Western Visayas)

6 Cagayan De Oro Misamis Oriental REGION X (Northern Mindanao)

7 Davao Davao Del Sur REGION XI (Davao Region)

8 Makati Metro Manila NCR - National Capital Region

9 Pasig Metro Manila NCR - National Capital Region

10 Taguig Metro Manila

NCR - National Capital Region

11 Valenzuela Metro Manila NCR - National Capital Region

12 Benguet
Baguio CAR - Cordillera Administrative Region

13 Cebu Cebu
REGION VII (Central Visayas)
 14
Caloocan Metro Manila NCR - National Capital Region

15 General Santos South Cotabato REGION XII (Soccsksargen)

16 Puerto Princesa Palawan REGION IV-B (MIMAROPA)

17 Butuan Agusan Del Norte REGION XIII (Caraga)

18
Mandaluyong Metro Manila NCR - National Capital Region

19 Bacolod (NO) Negros Occidental REGION VI (Western Visayas)

20 tacloban
Leyte REGION VIII (Eastern Visayas)

Legends:
Eliminated Cities based CBD acknowledgement
Selected Cities based CBD acknowledgement

References from The 2024 rankings of highly urbanized cities are based on five key pillars: Economic Dynamism, Government
Efficiency, Infrastructure, Resiliency, and Innovation. These rankings combine scores from these pillars to determine the overall
ranking. Provincial rankings, on the other hand, are based on a weighted average of the overall scores of the cities and municipalities
within the province, taking into account both population and income.
Selected Cities based on CBD acknowledgement + population + GDP per capita + Poverty Incidence

RANK LGU PROVINCE REGION CBD Recognized Population GDP per Poverty
capita (PHP) Incidence
(2022) (2023)

1 Quezon (MM) NCR - National Capital Triangle Park 2,960,048 633,048.60 2.6%
Region (Quezon City Central Business
Metro Manila
District)
Ortigas Center

2 Pasay NCR - National Capital Manila Bay Area 440,656 1.6%

Metro Manila Region
Ortigas Center

3 NCR - National Capital Filinvest City 543,445 0.7%

Muntinlupa Metro Manila
Region

4 REGION VI (Western Iloilo Business Park 478,815 306,444 6.8%

Iloilo Iloilo
Visayas)

5 Cagayan De Misamis REGION X (Northern The Poblacion (CBD) 728,402 343,936 12.3%
Oro Oriental Mindanao)

6 Davao City Davao Del REGION XI (Davao Downtown davao 1,874,089 258,811 21.7
Sur Region)

7 NCR - National Capital Makati Central Business 629,616 2.5%

Makati Metro Manila
Region District

8 NCR - National Capital Ortigas Center 881,253 4.3%

Pasig Metro Manila
Region

9 Taguig City Metro Manila NCR - National Capital

Bonifacio Global City 886,722 6.5%
Region

10 Cebu City Cebu REGION VII (Central

Cebu Business Park 964,169 293,426 10.1%
Visayas)
 11 NCR - National Capital
Mandaluyong Metro Manila Ortigas Center 452,749 0.6%
Region

12 Negros REGION VI (Western Downtown Bacolod 452,749 214,527 10.6%

Bacolod (NO) Visayas)
Occidental

https://psa.gov.ph/system/files/phdsd/Highlights%20of%20the%202023%201st%20sem%20Official%20Poverty%20Statistics.pdf
https://www.psa.gov.ph/system/files/sead/SR_2022_PPA_Results_on_per_Capita_GDP_of_Pilot_Provinces_and_HUCs_0.pdf

https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/09/17/regions/trillion-peso-economy-for-region-6-unlikely/1971950#:~:text=In%20the%202022%20
GDP%20per,Negros%20Occidental%20with%20P94%2C981.
Selected Cities based on No. of Foreign Travelers & Domestic Travelers

Existing
GDP Poverty International Foreign Domestic
RANK LGU PROVINCE REGION CBD Population per Incidence Airport Travelers Travelers
Recognized capita (2023) (Distance from
city hall to
(PHP)
airport)
(2022)

1 Quezon NCR - Triangle Park 2,960,048 633,048. 2.6% NAIA 68,649 377,529
(MM) National (Quezon City 60 (24.1KM)
Capital Central
Metro Manila
Region Business
District)
Ortigas Center

2 Pasay NCR - Manila Bay Are 440,656 1.6% NAIA 351,326 897,692
National Ortigas Center (4.1KM)
Metro Manila
Capital
Region

3 NCR - Filinvest City 543,445 0.7% NAIA 38,845 184,168

Muntinlup National (18.8KM)
Metro Manila
a Capital
Region

4 REGION VI Iloilo Business 478,815 306,444 6.8% ILOILO 18,083 734,218

Iloilo Iloilo (Western Park INTERNATION
Visayas) AL AIRPORT

5 Cagayan REGION X The Poblacion 728,402 343,936 12.3% LAGUINDINGA 5,548 289,880
De Oro Misamis (Northern (CBD) N
City Oriental Mindanao) INTERNATION
AL AIRPORT

6 Davao City REGION XI Downtown 1,874,089 258,811 21.7 FRANCISCO 40,930 850,440
Davao Del (Davao davao BANGOY
Sur Region) INTERNATION
AL AIRPORT

7 NCR - Makati Central 629,616 2.5% NAIA 208,206 347,335

Makati Metro Manila
National Business (9.3KM)
 City Capital District
Region

8 NCR - Ortigas Center 881,253 4.3% NAIA 48,189 213,100

National (14KM)
Pasig City Metro Manila
Capital
Region

9 Taguig Metro Manila NCR -

City National Bonifacio NAIA
886,722 6.5% 71,806 85,018
Capital Global City (7.8KM)
Region

10 Cebu City Cebu MACTAN-CEB

REGION
Cebu Business U
VII (Central 964,169 293,426 10.1% 221,061 841,520
Park INTERNATION
Visayas)
AL AIRPORT

11 NCR -
Mandaluy National NAIA
Metro Manila Ortigas Center 452,749 0.6% 39,369 92,706
ong City Capital (9.5KM)
Region

12 REGION VI Downtown 452,749 214,527 10.6% BACOLOD-SIL 30,987 587,695

Bacolod Negros (Western Bacolod AY
(NO) Occidental Visayas) INTERNATION
AL AIRPORT

Legends

Reference of foreign travelers from the 'Regional Distribution of Overnight Travelers: January - December 2022' report, as of April 28,
2023, from the Department of Tourism (DOT)

http://www.tourism.gov.ph/Tourism_demand/06072023/RegionalTravelers2022.pdf
 Selected Cities based on No. of Foreign Travelers & Domestic Travelers

Existing
GDP per Poverty Internationa
Rank LGU Province Region CBD Population capita Incidenc l Airport Foreign Domestic Historical
Recognized (PHP) e (Distance Travelers Travelers Significance
(2022) (2023) from city hall
to airport)

1 Quezon NCR - Triangle 2,960,048 633,048.60 2.6% NAIA 68,649 377,529 Quezon City was founded
(MM) National Park (24.1KM) in 1939 as the future
Capital (Quezon postcolonial capital of the
Region City Central Philippines. Inspired by the
Business social values of the
Metro District) Commonwealth
Manila Ortigas Government (established
Center 1935), the settlement was
meant to articulate
modernity, equity, and the
Filipino soul in architectural
and environmental form.

2 Pasay NCR - Manila Bay 440,656 1.6% NAIA 351,326 897,692 Pasay was named after a
National Are (4.1KM) princess of
Capital Ortigas the Namayan Kingdom, Da
Region Center yang-dayang Pasay.
The Namayan Kingdom
was a confederation
of barangays that began to
peak in 1175 and extended
Metro from Manila Bay to Laguna
Manila de Bay. Dayang-dayang
Pasay inherited the lands
now comprising the
territories of Culi-culi, Pasay
and Baclaran. The royal
capital of the kingdom was
built in Sapa, known today
as Santa Ana.

3 NCR - Filinvest 543,445 0.7% NAIA 38,845 184,168 Known before as a sleepy,
Muntinlupa Metro
National City (18.8KM) agricultural community and
 Manila Capital a city that is famous for its
Region national penitentiary,
National Bilibid Prison,
where the country’s most
dangerous criminals are
imprisoned, is now a full
developed and progressive
city.

4 REGION Iloilo 478,815 306,444 6.8% ILOILO 18,083 734,218 The "Battle of
VI Business INTERNATI Balantang" also known as
(Wester Park ONAL the "Second Battle of
n AIRPORT Jaro" was organize counter
Visayas) attack by the Filipino forces
Iloilo Iloilo that was executed on
March 10, 1899 retaking
Jaro from the Americans
during the early battles on
February, 1899.

5 Cagayan REGION The 728,402 343,936 12.3% LAGUINDIN 5,548 289,880 Cagayan de Oro, or the "City
De Oro X Poblacion GAN of Golden Friendship," has a
City (Norther (CBD) INTERNATI rich history from its
n ONAL pre-colonial days as
Mindana AIRPORT Himologan, a key trading
o) center. During Spanish rule, it
was fortified and named
"Cagayan." The American
period brought infrastructure
Misamis and educational development.
Oriental During WWII, locals resisted
Japanese occupation.
Officially becoming a city in
1950, it rapidly urbanized and
grew into an economic hub in
Northern Mindanao. Today, it
is celebrated for its cultural
heritage and strategic
importance in trade and
commerce.
6 Davao City REGION Downtown 1,874,089 258,811 21.7 FRANCISC 40,930 850,440 The 11 tribes of Davao,
XI davao O BANGOY including the Ata,
(Davao INTERNATI Maguindanaon, Matigsalug,
Region) ONAL Bagobo Klata, Maranao,
AIRPORT Obo Manuvu,
Bagobo-Tagabawa, Tausug,
Sama, Iranun, and Kagan,
each possess distinct
traditions, cultures, and
Davao Del histories that contribute to
Sur the rich cultural diversity of
the region. These tribes are
celebrated annually during
the Kadayawan Tribal
Village, an event that offers
visitors the opportunity to
experience their unique way
of life through indigenous
cuisine, music, dance,
crafts, and artistry.

7 NCR - Makati 629,616 2.5% NAIA 208,206 347,335 Makati, once a farming
National Central (9.3KM) area, has undergone a
Capital Business remarkable transformation
Region District to become the financial
heart of the Philippines. Its
historical landmarks, such
as the Nielson Tower and
the Museo ng Makati,
Metro provide insights into its
Makati City past. Pivotal moments, like
Manila
its role in World War II and
its rapid post-war
redevelopment, have
shaped Makati's evolution.
The city's growth reflects
the Philippines' journey
towards modernization and
the resilience of its people.

8 NCR - Ortigas 881,253 4.3% NAIA 48,189 213,100 Pasig is one of the oldest
Pasig City Metro
National Center (14KM) towns in the Philippines,
 Manila Capital The name "Pasig" is
Region believed to have originated
from the Sanskrit word
meaning "river flowing from
one body of water to
another." Founded in 1572
by the Augustinians, Pasig
was once part of the
Province of Rizal. In 1994, it
was converted into a highly
urbanized city through
Republic Act 7829.

9 Taguig City Metro Started as a settlement

Manila under the Kingdom of
Tondo with a population of
about 800 farmers and
fishermen, believed to be
NCR - mixed with Chinese
National Bonifacio NAIA settlers. Formally
886,722 6.5% 71,806 85,018
Capital Global City (7.8KM) recognized as a part of the
Region Encomienda del Tondo.The
settlement already known
as Taguig was declared a
pueblo or town of the
province of Manila,
comprising nine (9) barrios.

10 Cebu City Cebu The country's oldest

settlement, it is also one of
its most historic and retains
MACTAN-C much of the flavour of its
REGIO
Cebu EBU long Spanish heritage. A
N VII
Business 964,169 293,426 10.1% INTERNATI 221,061 841,520 thriving port occupied the
(Central
Park ONAL site when Ferdinand
Visayas)
AIRPORT Magellan, the Portuguese
navigator and explorer,
landed there on April 7,
1521.

11 Mandaluyo Metro NCR - Ortigas 452,749 0.6% NAIA 39,369 92,706 Mandaluyong City, inhabited