Lipa City on the rise
The Calabarzon Region, composed of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, remains a resilient, fast growing region in the Philippines despite headwinds.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that in 2023, Calabarzon’s economy grew by 5.4 percent, buoyed by its arts, culture, and recreational activities as well as personal, accommodation, and food services.
Rapidly growing urban center
Among the cities in this region, a steady contributor to growth is Lipa City in Batangas.
Located a couple of hours from Metro Manila, Lipa City has emerged as a rapidly growing urban center in Calabarzon. Its economy, according to Colliers Philippines, continued to flourish, expanding by 2.33 percent in 2021, marking one of the highest growth rates among areas near Metro Manila. The city also reportedly had the highest deposit accounts in the province as of 2021.
Known to offer modern comforts amid nature, heritage sites, and the city’s cool climate, Lipa City indeed stands as an ideal location for those wanting to have a taste of a balanced lifestyle.
‘Villa de Lipa’
This first-class component city had always been a steady source of business activity in Batangas.
A flourishing coffee industry made Lipa such a rich municipality that on Oct. 21, 1887, the Queen Regent Maria Christina of Spain elevated Lipa to a city known as “Villa de Lipa”. On Aug. 31, 1947, Lipa was inaugurated as a chartered city created under Republic Act No. 162.
In the 90s, Lipa’s urbanization began with the development of Batangas province. The city benefitted from the massive infrastructure buildup in the region while its thriving local economy, ease of doing business, and its growing and young population have made it an increasingly attractive hub for businesses.
Growing population
The population in Lipa City grew from 218,447 in 2000 to 372,931 in the 2020 Census. To address the needs of its growing population, new roads and highways were built, telecommunication and power facilities were improved, banking and other commercial and industrial facilities also sprouted.
Lipa City also has a steady number of reputable educational institutions and health facilities to cater to its residents. Many people from nearby cities and municipalities also benefit from these important structures in Lipa.
New metropolis
Lipa has since continued to evolve into a new metropolis ready to support a higher level of commerce, leisure, and urban living, providing a lifestyle that merges urban conveniences with the natural beauty of Batangas.
Residents and guests can enjoy the numerous leisure spots, festivals and tourist attractions in Lipa City. They will also feel inspired by the various places of worship in Lipa, including heritage Catholic churches that earned the city its title of being the “Little Rome of the Philippines”.
There are also hotels and resorts that focus on eco-tourism will give guests and even residents seeking a quick getaway numerous options and world-class accommodations.
The city has been seeing a steady influx of investments, as it offers a multitude of opportunities for investors and residents looking to capitalize on its ongoing progress. Several reasons account for its attractiveness as a tourist destination and as a place to build a home and invest in business.
According to the 2023 Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index (CMCI) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the city placed 16th among 114 component cities with a score of 42.24 percent.
The CMCI is measured based on the sum of the scores of cities and municipalities on 5 aspects, namely: economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure, resiliency, and innovation.
Lipa City ranked 14th in economic dynamism, or the economic activity of a local government unit, with a score of 5.7204 percent. It placed 37th in the category of government efficiency, referring to the quality and reliability of government services and support, garnering a score of 9.7402 percent. It was in the 8th spot for infrastructure with a score of 6.5619 percent and placed in the 93rd spot in resiliency with a score of 11.1695. The city ranked 14th in innovation with a score of 9.0525 percent.
Sources: Inquirer Archives, cmci.dti.gov.ph, lipa.gov.ph
