Bacolod City was declared for the fist time as the "Cleanest and Greenest" highly urbanized city in the Philippines by Pres. Fidel V. Ramos at rites held at Luneta in Manila last December 17, 1997.

Bacolod City was declared the Best financially Managed City in the whole Visayas by the Department of Budget and Management in 1997.

Bacolod City was adjudged 'Most Outstanding City" in community development in Western Visayas from the Progressive Alliance of Citizens for Democracy (PACD) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). This is the second consecutive year Bacolod has been recognized as the "Most Outstanding City" and only the second time in the 42 year history of PACD.

Awarded as One of the 10 Most Outstanding Cities of the Philippines in a national PACD-DILG-sponsored contest during the 41st Anniversary of the PACD last January 6, 1997 at Ilagan, Isabela. Award presented by Department of Interior and Local Government Sec. Robert Barbers, Senate President Ernesto Maceda and Senate Committee on Local Government Vicente Sotto.

Awarded by President Fidel V. Ramos as One of the 5 Cleanest and Greenest Highly Urbanized Cities for two consecutive years, 1995 and 1996 in the National Clean and Green Contest of First Lady Amelita Ramos.

Established sister-city relations with the cities of Keelung (Taiwan), Parañaque, Marikina, Butuan, Tagaytay and Legaspi.

Creation of the Bacolod City College intended for the lower-income population of Bacolod City.

Enactment of the administration-initiated Bacolod City Investment Incentive Ordinance of 1997, the first for the city.

Awarded as the Most Outstanding City that has Successfully established/ Maintained Day Care Centers for Children in Region VI last September 1996 by the DSWD Region VI, Iloilo City.

Awarded as the Most Outstanding Local Government Unit that supports the Parents Effectiveness Service given by the Department of Social Work and Development Region VI during the celebration of Family Week.

Bacolod Peace and Order chaired by Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia, recognized as the Best in Peace and Order Council in Western Visayas and presented the region in the National Contest in 1996.

Given National Award from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in recognition of its efforts to provide a humane home for inmates with the allocation of a one-hectare lot at Handumanan for a New City Jail.

Construction and opening of a 476-unit house and lot projects in Brgy. Estefania for City Government employees.

Department of Education, Culture and Sports, Division of Bacolod City ranked No. 1 over 13 other divisions in the 1997 Regional Achievement Test to elementary students by the DECS Western Visayas Regional Office.

DECS-Bacolod was awarded Most Outstanding Division in Sports, by DECS Secretary Ricardo Gloria during the Educator's Congress held lat May 19-23, 1997 at Teachers Camp, Baguio City.

The Bacolod City Contingent regained the long lost Championship in 1996. Palarong Panlalawigan of the DECS and has contributed young athletes to the Regional and National Palaro, a number of them won medals in the national games. The crown was retained in 1997.