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Last Updated on September 27, 2021 by Lamudi
When buying or building a new home, it’s crucial to look beyond the property and see what the neighborhood is like. It’s easier to repair an ugly paint job or window treatment than change an address altogether.
In finding the best location, one thing you must closely pay attention to is safety. Of course, you want to live in a neighborhood without fearing for your children playing on the streets. At the same time, you don’t want to be in deep trouble re-selling the house later.
The best way to gauge a location’s safety is to check statistics from law enforcement officials and field experts. These are 12 of the safest places to live in the Philippines as of 2022:
Ormoc City
In the first quarter of 2018, PNP found that this first-class city in Leyte only experienced 134 crime incidents. Prior to that, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency declared the area as the first municipality in the region to be drug-free, as reported by Philstar. Considering that it used to be a hotbed for drug-related crimes, even earning the title “drug capital of Eastern Visayas,” the change is commendable and reassuring for residents and future dwellers.
Mayor Richard Gomez re-emphasized the local government’s commitment to maintaining the safest city label, according to the Philippine News Agency (PNA). He shared that they’ve been providing financial aid to law enforcement officials to support their efforts in keeping Ormoc’s drug-free status. If you plan to live in this city, you’re not just buying into a safe neighborhood, but you’re also getting an area that houses amazing natural and historical sites. These include Lake Danao National Park, Alto Peak, and Puente de la Reina, among many others.
Puerto Princesa City
Included in the safest cities cited in PNP’s 2018 crime research report is the “Eco-Tourism Center of the Philippines,” the city of limestone caves and the famous underground river. Puerto Princesa recorded a total of 227 crime incidents at the time, Palawan News Online reported. According to the local law enforcement officers, the heightened efforts of mobile patrols and strong campaigns against crimes make the city safer.
Puerto Princesa is a prized address, given that it’s one of the country’s hottest tourist destinations. Meaning it’s not just the security you’ll enjoy but also the proximity to nature-inspired hotspots like Olangoan Falls, Honda Bay, Nagtabon Beach, and of course, one of the world’s new wonders, the Underground River. You’re living a restful, peaceful vacation every day.
Iloilo City
The latest report from the online database Numbeo revealed that the City of Love is one of the safest places in Southeast Asia. It ranked eighth out of the ten cities. Recently, mayor Jerry Treñas turned over motorcycles to the police force to enable law enforcement to respond quickly to community needs and keep the peace and order in different areas around the city.
If you’re eyeing Iloilo as your next address, aside from the safety, you’ll also experience firsthand the close-knit community of Visayans in this locale are very proud of. Ilonggos are one of the kindest, most soft-spoken people you’ll ever meet. You’ll find friends easily in this city once you move in.
Makati City
Numbeo’s list of safest cities ranked the Financial Capital of the Philippines fourth in Southeast Asia, garnering a safety index rate of 59.48. It climbed a notch higher in 2019. City mayor Abby Binay honored the efforts of the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection in keeping the metro safe. She said that the local government prioritizes safety and security to allow more businesses in Makati to grow prosperously.
From homes in gated subdivisions to units for rent in high-rise condominiums and townhouses, there are plenty of residential options in the country’s financial center. The main advantage of living here is near employment opportunities at top companies and the comforts of modern life, like retail therapy in malls, gastronomic treats at premium restaurants, and high-quality healthcare in state-of-the-art hospitals.
Davao City
Mindanao won’t be left behind in the safest cities rankings. The King City of the South slides into the second spot on Numbeo’s list for Southeast Asia. According to the statistics cited by Sunstar, Davao City has a safety index rate of 72.50. Moreover, its crime index is at 27.50. Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) chief Benito de Leon said that the peace and order in the city are due to the local government’s “good leadership,” close supervision of safety and security clusters, and Davaoeño’s cooperation.
Bohol
Bohol is another safe address in the Philippines. Its crime index is around 7.14, which is low compared to others. When you live in Bohol, you will be surrounded by nature, essential establishments, and friendly neighbors. The province is also filled with beautiful beaches you can visit if you want to relax. If you seek adventure, you can visit Danao Adventure Park to zipline, dive, Skyride, ride a boat, and much more!
Baguio City
Another popular safe place to live in the Philippines is Baguio City. Baguio’s crime index is 37.17, making it one of the cities in the Philippines with low crime rates. Living in Baguio is ideal because of its safety and what it has to offer. The Philippines is a tropical country. Since Baguio is at the top of the mountains, the city is known for its cool climate. When you live here, you can soak your eyes in wonderful tree-filled mountain views, fresh fruits and vegetables, and tourist destinations such as Camp John Hay, Burnham Park, and Tam-Awan Village.
Dumaguete
Dumaguete is dubbed the “City of Gentle People.” Hence, it is one of the best places if you are planning to raise a family or retire. The crime rate in Dumaguete is only 35.85, which is lower compared to Iloilo City. This city is below the typhoon belt, so it is not greatly affected by typhoons compared to other parts of the country, especially the Visayas region. Dumaguete is also an academic hub called the “Center of Learning in the South,” as it houses the renowned Silliman University, St. Paul University, Dumaguete Academy for Culinary Arts, Negros Oriental State University, and Foundation University.
Cebu City
The “Queen City of the South” is another safe city in the Philippines to reside in. Aside from the low crime rate in the city, Cebu City is home to numerous subdivisions where you can build or find your forever home and enjoy its lifestyle amenities, including swimming pools, open spaces, playgrounds, and manicured gardens. Cebu is also the perfect place to live as it has everything you’ll ever want–beautiful beaches, delectable food, rich culture, a thriving entertainment scene, and other modern conveniences.
Santa Rosa, Laguna
Santa Rosa City was awarded the “Safe Haven Award” from The Manila Times Philippine Model Cities in 2017. This award recognizes the city’s peace and order programs and situation. The city of Santa Rosa is also an ideal home for professionals since it promotes work-life balance and is highly accessible and only about 30 minutes from Makati City. It is also peppered with businesses and places for recreation and relaxation. Some of the top sights in Santa Rosa, Laguna, include Enchanted Kingdom, Nuvali, and Sta. Elena Fun Farm.
Tagaytay City
Tagaytay prides itself on its 21.57 crime rate, which makes it an ideal home for families. Given its high altitude, Tagaytay offers a cooler climate and breathtaking views from various vantage points. Despite being a progressive city, Tagaytay remains environmentally friendly. Living here allows you to live closer to nature. Homes and spaces here are often surrounded by greeneries. Owning a home here is also a good business opportunity as you can rent it out to tourists.
Valenzuela City
The crime rate in Valenzuela City is only 21.61. The city also made it again to the list of safest cities in Southeast Asia in the latest report Numbeo. Valenzuela has a safety index of 74.79 which is second to Singapore. Aside from its safety, many people consider Valenzuela an ideal residential address because of the opportunities that abound here, especially for those who want to start a business. Valenzuela has grown to be one of the significant economic and industrial centers in the Philippines.
How Safe is Your Neighborhood?
Location is an important consideration when choosing your next home address. The next time you drive by an open house, look beyond the property and gauge your neighborhood’s safety.
To determine if your neighborhood is safe, research is vital. You may check out the crime rate in the city and see how it fares during natural disasters. Other signs that you are living in a safe neighborhood are if there are community events, thriving local businesses, kids playing outdoors, and neighborhood watch groups.
