Is it really safe in the City of Love?
Crime index of 41.15 and safety index of 58.85 was recorded by the Serbian crowd-sourced online database, Numbeo, that indicated a “moderate” level of law-breaking in the metropolis.
These indices measures the overall crime situation and reflects the general safety of residents and visitors and tourists.
Visitors who came to Iloilo City in the past years perceived some crimes as “moderate” including problems with people using or dealing illegal drugs (48.8); vandalism and theft, (48.2); assault and armed robbery (43.12), and corruption and bribery (47.9).
The tourists said they felt safe walking alone during daylight (69.05) or a high level of safety during that time, compared to walking alone at night (58.7), which the visitors perceived to be “moderately safe.”
Tourists' Perception
But Numbeo explained that the data they gathered online was based on the tourists’ perception of the city when they visited the city in the past five years.
This means that if the value is zero, it is perceived as very low, while the value of 100 means the perception is very high.
Hence, Iloilo City is relatively safer than other cities in Southeast Asia, such as Manila and Cebu, although it posted higher crime rates than cities like Davao.
Mayor Jerry Treñas quickly rebutted the crime and safety index numbers, noting the inclusion of Iloilo City as among Top 10 in Southeast Asian cities’ crime index “provided disparity in the appreciation of data.”
“The ratings were based on perceptions of visitors to the website. Iloilo City’s inclusion along with other major urban centers can be used as a tool in assessing the state of the place and public safety in addressing the same,” said Treñas.
Quoting the reports of the Iloilo City Police Office, Treñas said that Numbeo’s database crime index “does not represent the true situation.”
Generally Peaceful
The mayor said that Police City Director Col. Joeresty Coronica assured the public, tourists, and investors that the peace and order situation in Iloilo remains “generally peaceful.”
Treñas added that Colonel Coronica stressed the crime index that Numbeo cited and its perception-based outputs are “not reflected of the real situation on the ground.”
“The City Government’s continued support and assistance to the police force in all forms, such as but not limited to additional funding, equipment, gears, mobility, logistics, capability building, training, and infrastructure improvement has reaped commendable results in continuously providing a safe environment to our city,” the mayor said.
With their collective efforts, the mayor said the city has gained several recognitions in national and international landscapes.
This included the recognition by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) of the city with the prestigious 2023 Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit (LGU) Award for the city level.
For the mayor, such recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for businesses and entrepreneurs.
In addition, the City of Iloilo has been named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the latest UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) for 2023.
“We assure the general public, tourists, and investors that the Iloilo City Government views these concerns constructively and we take these issues seriously. We collaborate across all sectors of the community to make sure that Iloilo City remains safe, sustainable, resilient, and livable for all,” the mayor added.
Crowd-Sourcing Data
Numbeo, founded in 2009, is a website that collects and compares prices and quality of life data worldwide.
It is a crowd-sourced online database of perceived consumer prices, real property prices, and quality of life metrics.
Numbeo aims to empower individuals and businesses with accurate and up-to-date information about the cost of living, quality of life, and various socio-economic factors across cities and countries worldwide.
“By crowdsourcing data and harnessing the collective wisdom of our global community, we aim to create a reliable platform that facilitates comparisons, drives social awareness, and supports positive change,” Numbeo announced.
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