Why Visit Bacolod

ALL ABOUT BACOLOD

Why Bacolod is your destination Greatly improved accessibility through an airport that connects to the city to Manila 8 times daily through 3 major airlines and a seaport for large cargo and passenger vessels in addition to the fast sea crafts cruising the waters between Iloilo and Bacolod. Upbeat local economy and unlimited opportunities for trade and investments because the city is home to a high percentage of the Philippines� top 20 corporations; Intensified initiatives towards agri-based diversification like the production of food items, mucovado sugar, organic fertilizers, light farm equipment and home décor; Acclaimed as the Most Business Friendly City in the Philippines in 2007 by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Inexpensive cost of doing business with numerous amenities, facilities and available opportunities; Effective maintenance of clean and green surroundings as evidenced by a HALL OF FAME AWARD as the Cleanest and Greenest Highly Urbanized City in the Philippines. Low percentage of illegal settlers. A Systematic traffic planning that offers the luxury of driving through the wide roads in a highly urbanized center; Now considered as the Information Technology and Business Process Outsourcing hub of Western Visayas with the presence of 8 major call centers. Strong involvement and partnership between the government and various private stakeholders plus that legendary hospitality and cuisine that make Bacolod City an ideal place to visit, to work in and much more to live in this lifetime. A stable peace and order condition where incidence of crime is low, there is high police visibility and a crime solution of 97%.

GEOPHYSICAL

Bacolod is the highly urbanized capital, communication, trade and service center of the Province of Negros Occidental, one of the twin province of Negros Island in the cluster of the Visayan Islands in the heart of the Philippine Archipelago, Bacolod is bounded in the northwest by the cities of Talisay; in the northeast by Silay and Victorias; in the east and southwest by the town of Murcia; in the southwest by the City of Bago; and in the west by the Guimaras Strait.  Total land area is 16,171,007 hectares or 161.45 square kilometers excluding straits and bodies of water.

GETTING THERE

BY AIR-The city is only 55 minutes from and to Manila, serviced by the country�s 3 major airlines � Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines, with four round trip flights daily.      From Cebu City, Bacolod is only 30 minutes away, with 3 round trips daily through Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific.     The New Bacolod-Silay Airport of International Standard is 20 minutes to and from the Bacolod downtown.      BY SEA-Bacolod is normally a 20-hour cruise to and from Manila aboard world-class vessels; 55 minutes to and from Iloilo on fast seacrafts.  The Banago and BREDCO ports are the vessels entry point.      BY SEA AND LAND- The 18-hour travel time to and from Manila via land and sea transport is now possible through RORO (Roll On Roll Off) vessels traversing through the Strong Republic Nautical Highway using the ports of Iloilo, Caticlan in Aklan, Roxas in Mindoro and Batangas in the Province of Batangas.

CLIMATE

Bacolod City has 2 pronounced seasons, wet and dry. The rainy season starts from May to January with heavy rains occurring during the months of August and September. Dry season starts from the month of February up to the last week of April. December and January are the coldest months while April is the warmest.

PEOPLE/POPULATION

The charming, smiling and hospitable people are called Bacoleños, a.k.a.  Bacolodnons.  Latest population estimate is close to 500,000 or half a million which is approximately 25% of the total population of the province of Negros Occidental.

LANGUAGE/DIALECTS

Hiligaynon (Ilonggo) is the major dialect spoken in Bacolod City. English and Tagalog are also widely spoken and understood especially in the urban areas.

CURRENCY/CREDIT CARDS

Most foreign currencies may be changed in banks, in most first class hotels, shopping malls and foreign exchange dealers.  Major credit cards are also widely accepted.

COMMUNICATION FACILITIES

Bacolod is connected to the global information highway, with cellular phones, emails, WIFI and the web as the most common form of communication.  Local and International direct dialing, telex, facsimile, world-wide express delivery, postal and telegraph are still widely used by many.

ELECTRICITY

Generally, 220 volts, with some areas having 110 volts, 60 cycles.  A plug with two (2) flat prongs is the norm.  The use of a universal adaptor assures safety.

WATER

The city has an acceptable water supply system.  Water is potable.  Bottled mineral, spring or purified water are widely available.

MOBILITY WITHIN THE CITY

Modern air-conditioned taxis abound in the city.  Public utility jeepneys are the common mode of transport.  There are four major jeepney routes within the city and to the outlaying barangays or districts.

GETTING AROUND

Modern air-conditioned taxis are numerous in the city. Public utility jeepneys are common modes of transport within the city. There are four (4) major jeepneys routes: Banago-Libertad, Mandalagan-Libertad, Bata-Libertad, Shopping-Libertad routes.      Buses and jeepneys provide service for intertown travel. Car rental services are available with rates depending on the vehicle used and distance traveled. Information for car rental services are available at most hotels' front desk.