Real Estate Point of View: Why Invest In Bacolod City?

Tired of the traffic congestion in Metro Manila? Have you ever wished there is another place where you can enjoy urban conveniences minus the stress of too many cars in a vicinity? Then let me introduce you to Bacolod City. You read it right, Bacolod has much to offer in terms of lifestyle, travel, food, and even business. Check out this stellar city in the south, and discover for yourself why Bacolod should be on your list of top places to invest in real estate, specifically, a house and lot in the Philippines.

Get to Learn More about the City of Smiles: Bacolod City

In Negros Occidental, there is the thriving city of Bacolod. Back in 1756, Bacolod was just a town. It was in 1938, that Bacolod became a chartered city under the mandate of Commonwealth Act No. 404 covering a total area of 578.65 km (223.42 sq mi). Initially, Bacolod is just known as the Philippines’ sugar capital, owed to it being the center of the nation’s most important sugar-producing area. 

However, as years pass, with its 600,000 strong residents, Bacolod City pride itself as a more than ‘sweet central’, but also a highly urbanized city, second to Cebu City as the most populous city in the Visayas area.

Did you know that Bacolod City is a two-time winner of the title,  “Top Philippine Model City”? Awarded in 2017 and 2019, respectively, Manila Times recognized Bacolod City as the most livable urban center in the country. As early as 2008, MoneySense magazine already chose Bacolod City as the "Best Place to Live in the Philippines" under the category of highly-urbanized cities outside the National Capital Region (NCR). Only recently, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) awarded Bacolod City with the 2021 Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit (LGU) Award. It was the second time for the city to receive the said award, having previously won the title last 2007. Bacolod City also garnered the Hall of Fame award for the Cleanest and Greenest Highly Urbanized Area.

However, having a list of awards is not the only reason this city is known as the City of Smiles. 

Advantages of Living and Investing in Bacolod

1. City's growing economy

Investors nowadays consider Bacolod City as the most business-friendly city outside the nation’s capital, Metro Manila. This is because of the economic dynamism and the continuously improving competitiveness of Bacolod City, in terms of the talent pool, ease of doing business, and local governance.

BPO Hotspot Outside Metro Manila

This rising industrial hub and its booming economy have been in a steady path to growth, as it successfully managed to excel in various industries. Previously, Bacolod City is just all about the Sugar Industry, along with the rest of Negros. However, it is ow a center of communications technology, as it is now a member of New Wave Cities, which caters to the big names in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry such as Teleperformance, Teletech, Convergys, Concentrix, IQOR, Ubiquity, Transcom, and Panasiatic to name a few. As a result, Bacolod City houses 13 PEZA IT-accredited locations which in turn help boost the city’s local economy.

Center for Major Health Information Management

Bacolod City has atalent pool that offer an abundance of medical healthcare graduates, such as nurses and allied medical professionals, for the BPO Industry in the Philippines.
Major HIM companies such as GrabSupport, Medstar Philippines, and Transkripsyo, now operate in Bacolod. Hence, Bacolod gains another distinction as a major Health Information Management (HIM) hub outside Metro Manila.

In fact, the industry group Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for Information and Communications Technology (BNEFIT) aims to produce 5,000 jobs in the healthcare information management (HIM) industry by 2022.

2. Infrastructure support

Because Bacolod is the next Commercial and Industrial Hub in Visayas next to Cebu, infrastructure is an essential aspect that the local government pays attention to, in terms of budget. Part of the four-point flagship projects of the local government of Bacolod City is the establishment of arterial roads and bridges and other upscale infrastructure projects. It also focuses on the development of new growth centers and transport terminals, such as the Sum-ag River Development Project, Bacolod Nature’s Park, the Rehabilitation of Public Markets, and the Bacolod IT Park, to name a few.

Another note-worthy infrastructure aspect available in Bacolod is the Bacolod-Silay Airport, Bacolod’s International Airport, located in Silay City, just 15 kilometers away from the capital city. It caters to local flag carriers Philippine Air Lines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) with day-to-day flights to and from the major cities in the country.

On the other hand, Bacolod City serves as the main entry point to BREDCO port, a large port in Bacolod City, accessible for large cargo vessels. 

3. Robust Tourism

In a document from the City Hall Local Economic and Investment Promotions Office of Bacolod City, in 2018, it recorded a total of 835,453 Foreign and Domestic Tourist arrivals. Just by the numbers alone, you may get an idea of how many people flock and get fascinated with what the City of Smiles has to offer. Some of the highlights of their Tourism industry are the following.

Bacolod City: Country’s Football City

Aside from being considered the country’s sports capital, Bacolod City is also known as the country’s Football city. The Paglaum Sports Complex and Sports Facilities, and the Panaad Stadium have witnessed several nationwide football matches such as the Palarong Pambansa, and even international ones, such as the ASEAN Under 19 Football Championships. 

With Bacolod, along with the rest of Negros Occidental region, Sports and recreational activities continue to flourish, host important sporting events, and produce outstanding athletes in football, boxing, golf, martial arts, and others.

Historical Landmarks and Other Tourist Destinations

With a wide expanse of land, Bacolod City takes pride in various tourist activities you can enjoy, depending on your choice of adventure. Whether you want to explore with adrenaline coursing through your veins, get in touch with the past, or just want to satisfy with truly good food, there is something for you here in Bacolod City. 

A. THE RUINS

One of the notable tourist spots you shouldn’t miss is The Ruins. Located in Talisay, Barangay Bata, The Ruins existed from the Spanish era. What was once a magnificent home, became Don Mariano Lopez, spent the remainder of his life with his children after his wife, Maria Baga died.

Its old-world charm and history reflect the rich cultural heritage of Negros and the fabled Sugar baron lifestyle the island is known for and makes it a distinct and highly-instagrammable location in the country. The Ruins is currently one of Bacolod City’s most famous tourist attractions, particularly at night.

B. SAN SEBASTIAN CATHEDRAL

Rich in history and culture, the San Sebastian Cathedral is the center of spiritual guidance for this province, situated in the heart of Bacolod City, the capital of Negros Occidental. Strategically placed by the sea and located where the city divides the land into north and south. Its magnificent towers stand tall overlooking Bacolod City’s public plaza.

C. CAMPUESTOHAN HIGHLAND RESORT

Located in the outskirts of the prosperous cities, of Talisay and Bacolod, this is not your typical resort. Campuestohan Highland Resort is a must-visit and one of the top attractions not only in Bacolod City, but in Negros Occidental. Spread in a 5-hectare plot of ground that extends the magnificence of Mt. Makawili, almost half of the province of Negros Occidental, including Panay Island. Located at 800 meters above sea level, its climate is cold, and fresh, similar to Tagaytay and Baguio, especially during the early morning or late at night.

Want to discover other tourist destinations in the area? Check out this article for the Top Bacolod Tourist Spots you should try.

4. Rich Arts, History, and Culture

Want to know more about Bacolod City from a different perspective?  Learn more about the culture, arts, and history of the area by visiting and participating in these events happening year-round in Bacolod City.

A. ART EXHIBITIONS AT THE NEGROS MUSEUM

Negros Museum opened its doors to the public on March 16th, 1996. Considered the Philippines’ first curatorial museum, focuses on rare relics and Negros history and modern local artists’ works, and their biographies. At the Museum Shop, local artists and craftspeople sell reproductions of commissioned works. Art exhibitions showcase the abundance of the history, art, and culture of the people of Negros Island. To visit, you can request to be brought to the Provincial Capitol Building, where the museum is only a short walk away.

B. MASSKARA FESTIVAL

Perhaps, among the most famous festivals in the Philippines, it emphasizes the donning of colorful masks, as the people parade, and dance toward the Bacolod Public Plaza. Thousands of tourists come to witness and join the festivities. This feast happens month-long in October.

C. BACOLODIAT FESTIVAL 

To celebrate February coinciding with the Chinese New Year festival is the Bacolodiat festival. Get to witness a parade of lanterns and a cultural show to celebrate this side of history and culture.

D. PANAAD SA NEGROS

Experience the “mother of all fiestas” in the Negros province! Visit Bacolod City in April, when the Pana-ad Festival is held yearly.  Treated as the Thanksgiving celebration of the Divine Providence, the festival aims to reinforce their faith in exchange for a good life.

With 13 cities and 19 provincial towns including Bacolod City participating in the event, it is publicly accepted as the mother of all provincial festivals.

5.  Gastronomic Food and Delicacies

There is no shortage of satisfying, mouth-watering local delicacies in foodie paradise, Bacolod City. When in the area, you must try their famous delicacies such aspiaya and Napoleones puff pastry, a form of sweet bread, the award-winning cansi a sour soup broth that made it to the World’s Top 50 Street Food Masters in 2017. You also shouldn’t miss the iconic chicken inasal, a roasted chicken barbecue coated with a special sauce in the Manokan Country, partnered with puso, which is rice cooked and packed in banana leaves. 

Housing Market Trends

With the five reasons stated above, are you now looking forward to getting your own affordable house and lot in Bacolod City? If you need added reasons to consider why Bacolod is a top real estate investment destination, here are some market aspects you should consider upon choosing your next real estate investment.

• 100% and 93% - Percentage of Households with Electricity and Water Services, respectively, for 24 hours
• Healthcare Infrastructure - Private Hospitals: 7 Public: 1 (soon to be 2)
• Communications - Postal Services: 9 Local News: 9 TV Station: 8 Cable Providers: 3 Mobile Phone Companies: 5 Internet Companies: 3
• Education Infrastructure - Tertiary Private: 18 Public College: 2
• Easily accessible roads and public transport - by land, traverse the Bacolod economic highway via the Ceres bus transport, jeepney or a tricycle, or hail a taxi.  For travel by sea, travel through the ports of Banago; the BREDCO Port in the Reclamation Area, and the port of Pulupandan for journeys to and from Manila and nearby provinces daily.
• Business establishments and other commercial establishments - Check out malls, country club, restaurants, offices, and different church and worship areas in the city. 
• Competitive local government unit

Enjoy the Urbanized yet Culture-rich Bacolod City through Lumina Homes

Because the City of Smiles, Bacolod City, has so much to offer, it’s a challenge to look for an affordable house and lot in Bacolod. Fortunately, there is Lumina Bacolod! Situated near the Bacolod-Silay Airport, you can travel to and from Bacolod City to Metro Manila and other major cities in the Philippines when you choose Lumina Homes. With Lumina Homes in Bacolod, you can enjoy the good life year-round in terms of history, culture, and industry. Don’t lose out the chance to own your to your house and lot in the Best Place to Live in the Philippines, contact an accredited seller today!