A few months ago, Liveable Cities Challenge organized the submission of entries of Philippine cities in the Bloomberg Philanthropies 2021 Mayors Challenge. Cities were required to submit tightly-written applications covering any or all four themes in the competition: Health and Wellbeing, Climate and Environment, Economic Recovery and Inclusive Growth, and Good Governance and Equality.

From all entries worldwide, 50 cities will be chosen for further review before a final list of 15 finalists will be selected by a jury of experts. The top 15 will each receive US$1 million and technical assistance and consultancy services to implement their proposal.

Over 850 cities submitted applications from all over the world, including 52 from the Philippines. We wish to acknowledge the Philippine cities and wish them the best of luck as we await the announcement this June of the 50 cities which will be subject to further review.

The 52 Philippine cities are the following: Antipolo, Bacolod, Bago (Negros Occ), Baguio, Balanga (Bataan), Batangas, Bayambang (Pangasinan), Bayawan (Negros Or), Baybay (Leyte), Butuan, Cagayan De Oro, Calapan (Or Mindoro), Cauayan (Isabela), Cebu, Davao, Dinalupihan (Bataan), Dipolog, General Santos, Gingoog, Guagua, Himamaylan (Negros Occ), Igacos (Davao del Norte), Ilagan (Isabela), Iloilo, Iriga, Koronadal, Laoag, Legazpi, Liloan Cebu), Mabalacat, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Muntinlupa, Naga, Navotas, Ormoc, Pasig, Passi (Iloilo), Quezon City, Roxas, San Carlos (Negros Occ), San Fernando (La Union), San Jose Del Monte, Santa Rosa, Science City of Munoz, Tagum, Talisay(Negros Occ), Taytay (Rizal), and Tuguegarao.