HIGHLY urbanized cities (HUCs) generated an estimated P9.78 trillion in total economic output in 2024, according to new figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The latest Provincial Product Accounts results showed that HUCs accounted for 44 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Manila joined Quezon City and Makati in the group of HUCs posting trillion-peso economies, with Quezon City contributing the largest share to the national GDP at 6 percent. It was followed by Makati with 5.4 percent and Manila with 4.7 percent.
Rounding out the 10 biggest contributors were Taguig at 3 percent; Davao City, 2.6 percent; Pasig, 2.3 percent; Parañaque, 1.65 percent; Pasay, 1.61 percent; Cebu City, 1.5 percent; and Mandaluyong, 1.4 percent. Together, these cities made up 30.5 percent of national output.
In terms of growth, Puerto Princesa posted the strongest annual expansion at 9.8 percent. It was followed by Iligan at 8.8 percent; Butuan, 8.7 percent; Tacloban, 8.2 percent; and Davao City, 7.9 percent.
The next five cities with the fastest increases were Bacolod at 7.7 percent; Makati, 7.35 percent; Malabon, 7.27 percent; Iloilo City, 7.1 percent; and Cebu City, 7 percent.
All HUCs recorded growth in 2024 compared with the previous year, with every city in the top ten outpacing the 5.7-percent national GDP growth rate.
The PSA said the compilation of Provincial Product Accounts had been carried out across all regions starting 2024.
The system was formally adopted in 2025 following the approval of a PSA Board resolution.