I came across an article about the need for more cities in the Philippines, approximately a hundred cities more if we are to avoid the mess in urban planning that we now see happening in Metro Manila. This statement by the renowned architect, Manong Jun Palafox, is indeed true and should be taken to heart by our policy makers as well as those with money that are heavily invested in real estate. Manong Jun even alludes that the present infrastructure craze of this government will not serve its purpose if all roads will remain leading to Metro Manila.
The urban decay in Metro Manila is real. Just go around its cities—better on a bike to see the real ground, and one can see the wear and tear. Roads covered up many times over; streetlights missing here and there; mendicants and homeless people abound; and a lot of torn down edifices. We are, after all, more than 15 million in the metropolis, all busily moving and making a living in crowded spaces. This has been going on for several generations and several administrations. True, there are noble efforts by both government and the private sector to shore up a renewed metropolis, but a Metro Manila-centric Philippines will not help contribute to its sustainability and will only bring it closer to its demise. The only way for Metro Manila to breathe and have life once more is to have other megapolises throughout the country that can double up as alternatives.
The pandemic in a way provided us with the natural push to move outward. City folks are now more and more looking for that life outside the city, given that infections outside are less than in Metro Manila. Countryside real estate values have in fact increased with city folks looking for beachfronts and farmlands, especially with most of us now on work from home mode. Thus, an accidental gentrification is taking place simultaneously in so many pocket areas across our country. We do not really realize it immediately as most of us are all online, not knowing that the ones we are talking to are practically in a countryside haven somewhere. Looking forward to the post pandemic normal, it could be most likely that that people in those areas would not go back to the metropolis, especially if all the necessities they need are easily accessible in their new communities. And this is where government should come in now, to provide the needed lifestyle infrastructure for these local migrants. One good thing about this is that we have the important lessons learned from Metro Manila itself. I do agree with Manong Jun’s observation that workers in Metro Manila are like OFWs that need to travel from their bedroom communities usually an hour away from the central business districts where they work and where the cost of living is more likely way above what they would earn. The new cities that should be built will need to have this primary consideration—work where you live; as well as other amenities that fulfill your other needs like schools for your kids, hospitals, markets, and other ground necessities.
Where will these metropolises most likely arise? All the present urban enclaves across the country are definitely going to be recipients of this local migration, with some preferred more than the others. One area that is reaping the benefits now is north of Manila, in particular Northern Luzon, starting from the Aerocity of San Miguel, the many developments in Clark, the rising communities in Tarlac and the preference of most folks for a quieter and tranquil life in Baguio City.
With such metropolises hopefully to be built and to be used by the next generation, there will be a real chance for Metro Manila to grow and glow back to its old glory. No doubt, Metro Manila will definitely remain as the central economic, political and social center of this country, but it will definitely have less strain on its shoulders. Then we will have the real chance to fix it up the way it should be. This I agree with Manong Jun Palafox a hundred percent—for a hundred cities more!
The author may be reached through: thomas_orbos@sloan.mit.edu