Top 10 Best Cities in Mindanao

Eight months after the Typhoon Sendong devastation, this city has picked up the pieces, stood proud, and moved two steps forward. The resilience of the city is evident in the economic progress it is currently experiencing. Investors are rushing to establish businesses in the area.

The best city in Mindanao that I've been to. Here, you can see the good diversity of different people living together harmoniously. The city is well-organized, greatly planned, and the people are indeed friendly. Truly the City of Golden Friendship, it is beyond compare.

Aside from being one of the centers of trade in Mindanao, Zamboanga City has major seaweed, rubber, and sardine industries. Eighty percent of the total sardine output nationwide comes from Zamboanga City. It will also be one of the trading hubs once ASEAN integration fully kicks off in 2015.

"Around P50 billion of money in circulation in Zamboanga stopped because of this incident," Employers Confederation of the Philippines president Ed Lacson said.

Zamboanga City can provide a decent living with its strong economy. It is a land of many opportunities. A wealthy city that has faced many challenges, it always emerges on top. Zamboanga City is united and cannot be divided.

A very young city nowadays, with too many possibilities for development. General Santos City has many potentials, resources, a cheaper cost of living, and cheaper food prices. It is a most livable and highly urbanized city, one of the fastest-growing cities in Mindanao.

General Santos is a business-friendly city and the logistical, commercial, retail, and financial hub of southern Mindanao. It is the tuna capital of the Philippines and soon to be of the whole world.

A small and simple city, but one of the sources of the most powerful and influential people in the country and the entire universe. General Santos City is also dubbed as the "Home of the Champions." The city is powered by gigantic and famous malls such as SM Mall of Gensan, KCC Mall of Gensan, Veranza Mall, Robinsons Mall, and Fitmart.

It is jam-packed with two top universities that provide quality education, such as Notre Dame of Dadiangas University and Mindanao State University.

I was impressed by the dynamic economic activity in Iligan City. Despite its natural beauty and tourist attractions, the city also buzzes with industriousness and commerce.

One notable aspect of Iligan's economy is its industrial sector, particularly steel manufacturing and hydroelectric power generation. The towering structures of steel mills and power plants stand as testaments to the city's industrial prowess. Learning about the history and significance of these industries added depth to my appreciation of Iligan's economic landscape.

Moreover, I observed a growing entrepreneurial spirit among locals, with various small businesses thriving in the city center. From quaint cafes serving local delicacies to artisan shops showcasing handmade crafts, there's a palpable sense of creativity and enterprise.

Exploring the bustling markets and commercial districts, I encountered a diverse array of goods and services, reflecting Iligan's role as a regional hub for trade and commerce.

Overall, Iligan City's vibrant economic activity adds another dimension to its appeal as a tourist destination. It offers insights into the livelihoods and aspirations of its residents while complementing the natural splendor that surrounds it.

There is no doubt that Davao City is the most progressive, modern, and highly urbanized metropolis in Mindanao. Unlike other major cities, and despite its progress, Davao remains generally safe for both locals and foreign tourists. International brands flock to the city, which has been blessed with many firsts in Mindanao and even outside the capital. High-rise hotels, condominiums, and office spaces abound in this city. Davao's soaring progress cannot be compared to other cities in Mindanao. Hence, it is touted as the de facto capital where major Philippine corporations and banks have established their headquarters.

This city continues to rise amidst political issues and petty crimes. As the new government of ARMM transitions to Bangsamoro, Cotabato City will be the capital city of this so-called independent super region. Now, more and more foreign and local investors are coming and expanding in nearby towns, such as in power plants, agriculture, and aquaculture. This means that as the capital city, there will be development in infrastructure and business.

Very soon, this place will have its own government, land, and resources. Numerous foreign donors are coming to help rebuild this region. Why? Because there is something in this place rich in culture and natural resources. In the future, a new government shall rise in Mindanao and stand up against discrimination.

Watch out for the ongoing botanical park in Tagum City. The city government is planting different kinds of trees from South America, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brunei, South Africa, Thailand, and other tropical countries. They will also install a hanging bridge, zipline, and cable car. Additionally, there is a children's playground.

This will be another tourist spot in Tagum City, making it the only city in the Philippines to have such an attraction. Our bird park is also currently under construction, which will be another attraction for tourists and will resemble a small-scale Singapore Bird Park.

Straddling the bottleneck of Zamboanga del Sur by the Moro Gulf, the city of Pagadian strategically links the Zamboanga Peninsula with the rest of the massive island. It is nicknamed the Little Hong Kong of the South.

The iconic symbol of Pagadian is its uniquely designed tricycle, built to adapt to the city's hilly terrain. It is the only place in the Philippines with public transport inclined at about a 25-40° angle.

The regional center of Zamboanga Peninsula, it is the newest economic hub of ZamboPen. It stands in the top 10 richest cities of Mindanao.

Undebatable, Valencia City is called the Golden Harvest because it offers a good living for those who seek it. This city is rich in wonderful natural resources that will attract tourists.

If Iligan City is the City of Falls, then Valencia City is the City of Caves.

The city is now aggressive in terms of economy. It will be home to the first McDonald's in the province. Many banks are now opening their branches, and according to Manny Villar, owner of Camella Homes, the city was cited as one of their choices to expand their service.

In this sense, the city will be able to attract more investors locally and maybe even internationally.

Seriously, it's the best small city in Mindanao. The city holds a promising economy and people. It is very competitive and peaceful. It's Region 12's regional center, and from then on, many notable establishments such as UP, Philippine Science High School, and regional offices have been constructed.

Koronadal also hosted many national and international events, one of them being the recently celebrated CIOFF dubbed Pyesta Kolondatal, which was attended by seven countries. The city continues to soar higher as its economy rises. Plans for the construction of large malls and other vital offices are commencing. These and many other things make it worthy of being called the Crown City of the South. Kanami Koronadal!

Dipolog City is the gateway to Western Mindanao. It is a fast-growing city with easy access to major cities such as Manila and Cebu, with a busy port and daily flights to the national capital. It offers wonderful nightlife, especially on the famous Dipolog City Boulevard.

Another thing, the city is clean and peaceful. I suggest everyone visit the city.

Dipolog City is the gateway to the Visayas, very near to Dumaguete City. It has abundant marine life, is peaceful, and is business-friendly. It is one of the competitive cities in the Philippines and the bottled sardines capital. The city has Dipolog Airport and two seaports, Pulauan and Galas.

It is the capital of Zamboanga del Norte, with historical places, a sports city, affordable food, abundant fruits, and is a major exporter of coconut oil. Tourism in the nearby Dakak and greeneries everywhere make the cost of living cheap.

Kidapawan City is the capital of North Cotabato. Dubbed the City of Fruits and Highland Spring, it hosts an energy source called Geothermal Power operated by Energy Development Corporation (EDC). Kidapawan City is the gateway to the country's highest peak, the majestic Mt. Apo.

Come visit Kidapawan and enjoy the gift of nature that the Supreme Being poured into this place.

Granted as number 16 among the most competitive component cities in the Philippines out of the 50 cities surveyed and evaluated in the year 2013.

I hope the city will be as aggressive as other cities in Mindanao. Though it has become a culture of our politicians to block the entry of investors, the city is host to a community mall (Gaisano Capital) and some national fast-food chains. As the saying goes, better late than never. Surigaonons are still happy that we finally have a working community mall.

I hope and pray that we can elect a young and fresh politician with creative ideas so that our city will not lag behind newly created cities. Surigao City has so much to offer and a lot of potential, and I hope this potential will be fully utilized so the people of Surigao will benefit from it.

A suburban city. The richest municipality of Mindanao and also home to Dole Philippines. It is the Pineapple Capital of the Philippines.

Ehem... Cagayan de Oro is the Pineapple Capital of the Philippines.

A place where you can say it is a home.

A place within a city that is simple, nature-loving, and peaceful.

A place where you can say it is a passage from neighboring cities.

A place where you will love to stay.

Digos City will be the newest one-stop shop because of the huge malls under construction, including big investments like an export zone and a solar power plant.

Nice place to live, almost zero crime.

Known as the City of Hundred Islands, this is a great place for island hopping. For inquiries, you may visit their municipal tourism office for a tour of their beautiful islands and white sand beaches. I hope there are no sharks, though. Book your tickets now and fly directly to Bayugan City airport.

Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur is a great place to live. The cost of living is affordable, the roads are wide, and Bayugan is now a rapidly developing city. It is a great city to invest in.

The true and authentic place of the Agusan Golden Tara. This city should promote its ancient history.

Visit Panabo City, the home of festivals, the city of parks, and the city with the widest highway in Mindanao surrounded by trees. Walk through the beach, the only beach in the world inside a banana plantation. Panabo is also the music capital of the Philippines and has the most beautiful public cemetery in the country. It's known as the city of paving blocks and the banana capital of the Philippines. Additionally, it's famous for its river cruise.

You can never find a better city in Mindanao than this one. Peaceful, with cheap food, excellent people's attitudes, and no crimes. The weather is excellent year-round. The Sunday organic market is the best day of the week, with organically farmed foods and seafood flocking to one street for trading. Nothing can beat Panabo City's cleanliness. It has always been the winner for the cleanest City Hall in the entire Philippines and the cleanest and greenest city.

Vote and live in this city. It is a good and advanced city.

Tandag is the only city in Mindanao that has a modern-type boulevard, which enlightens the seashore of the whole city with its captivating shining lights. These lights come from expensive solar lighting situated by the bay. With its peculiarity, it becomes a spot for tourists to visit the city.

It is the only city connected to two islands, namely Linungao Island. Urbanization and tourism are also growing.

Absolutely, Tandag City should be one of the top cities here in Mindanao. In just a couple of years after becoming a city, many good things have happened. More investors are coming to the city because it has huge potential in business and tourism.

I can say that Tandag City is a quiet, safe, and good place to live and love.

I hope the Philippine government will develop this city into a tourist destination for ARMM, similar to what it did for Baguio City in the Cordillera Region. This city has a lot of potential, with its rich cultural heritage and cool weather.

I just hope that the peace and order situation in this city will improve and it will be open to outside investors. Cleanliness is also a must.

Marawi City is a very nice area because of its cool climate. It is known as one of the Summer Capitals of the South. Marawi is also popular because it is home to Lake Lanao, one of the 15 largest lakes in the world. This lake is crucial as it provides electric power to the entire Mindanao region from Lanao del Norte.

San Francisco, Agusan del Sur is not a city, but we have a McDonald's, two Jollibee outlets, Gaisano Grand Mall, Gaisano Capital, and Davao Central Warehouse Club.

Born to be the Island Garden City of Samal, this cluster of islands is presently known as the Island Garden City of Samal, or IGaCoS, after being declared a city on January 30, 1998.

The island offers world-class choices of unspoiled beaches and niches, which are ideal refuges to escape the hectic and fast-paced urban life. Its year-round fiestas and celebrations provide entertainment for visiting tourists. Its terrain and unspoiled marine life are magnets for avid mountain bikers and divers. Lined with coconuts, white sand, and cozy cottages, its resorts offer the best venues to view crimson splays of sunset on the horizon.

Unspoiled underground caverns can be best explored on foot, storing myriad surprises for spelunkers to enjoy. Vast rugged terrain waits for bikers to conquer. Each island visit promises many places to explore.