Danniell Domingo

A user in X posted on Sept. 27, 2024 a photo of Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste: Duterte along with a news headline claiming Davao City ranks first in Economic Dynamism and Infrastructure. 


CLAIM: Davao City ranks first in Economic Dynamism & Infrastructure, proving the Dutertes are doing their job amid ‘demolition job’ against them.

RATING: MISLEADING

CONCLUSION:  According to the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index 2024 Rankings of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Davao City ranks 7th overall in 2024 Rankings of Highly Urbanized City, in which it placed 5th in both Economic Dynamism and Infrastructure. Meanwhile, Davao City ranks 8th in Government Efficiency, 7th in Resiliency, and 8th in Innovation.


The Rankings of Cities and Municipalities are computed based on their total score from five pillars. These pillars are Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, Resiliency, and Innovation. Each pillar contributes 20% of the total score. Quezon City ranks 1st overall with a 60.7516 total score; while Manila sits at 2nd with a 56.6604 score, a little difference from Pasay which placed 3rd with a 56.4058 score. 

Davao City lagged behind Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, and Muntinlupa in the overall ranking. Contrary to the post’s claim, Taguig City ranks first in Economic Dynamism while in terms of Infrastructure, Quezon City ranks first. Both cities are located in Metro Manila.

However, the claim is somehow true, but there is a missing context. Despite Davao City’s ranking in Economic Dynamism and Infrastructure, it ranked first in Visayas and Mindanao. 

Although ranking 7th out of 33 highly urbanized cities, Davao City stumbled and descended from its previous ranking in 2023 where it placed 6th in the overall ranking. 

Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index is the annual ranking of Philippine cities and municipalities conducted by the DTI.