The Problems of Philippine Urban Centers

PROBLEMS OF PHILIPPINE URBAN CENTERS

by Antonio C. Antonio

April 29, 2014

From the environmental and ecological viewpoints, Philippine urban centers do have so many problems.  I have chosen to write about the urban problems and solutions of Metro Manila since this is where my family and I live.  As citizens of the biggest metropolis in the Philippines, we are exposed to its good and bad environment.  In constructing the table of problems and solutions, please allow me to add a “causes” column to enable me to pair better or match “solutions” knowing the actual “cause” of the “problem.”  Please note that this is just a matrix of my personal take… I’m sure you, after reading this, will have more to suggest.

PROBLEM	CAUSES	SOLUTIONS
Air Pollution	Old/Surplus vehicles.	Ban the importation of old and surplus motor vehicles.
		Ban the entry of old vehicles into Metro Manila.
		Pay higher motor vehicle registration fees for old vehicles.
	More pavement and less trees.	Make tree planting a mandatory yearly activity for all schools and business enterprises with more than 20 personnel.
Waste Management	Gross apathy.	Strict implementation of RA No. 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act.
	No incentive.	Discipline and rewards program where model barangays and individuals are rewarded for their involvement and success in waste management.
	Clean Air Act	Incineration was outlawed by the Clean Air Act while more advanced countries like Sweden, Japan and Germany use this technology.  Amend the Clean Air Act to allow controlled and modern incineration.
Water Pollution / Safe Drinking Water	Antiquated water distribution lines.	Require the service providers (Maynilad and Manila Water) to rehabilitate existing water lines as part of their contracts and corporate social responsibility.
	Illegal water connections.	Stiffer penalties for illegal connections and criminalize water theft.
Informal settlers	Migration from rural areas as agricultural activities cannot support large families.	Encourage businessmen to invest outside of Metro Manila through tax incentives, no-hassle processing of business licenses and permits, etc.
	Less job opportunities in rural areas.
	Inadequate resettlement areas especially jobs and livelihood.	Encourage manufacturing companies to establish their factories near relocation areas.
Traffic	Unruly and undisciplined drivers.	Strict implementation of traffic rules and regulations.  Outright revocation of diving licenses for recurring and habitual offenses.
	Too many vehicles.	Pay higher motor vehicle registration fees for older vehicles.
	Inadequate road network.	Request subdivisions and villages to open up and allow access to vehicles.
	Road obstructions.	Demolish traffic-causing structures (like sidewalk vendor stalls, basketball courts, etc.)
	Too many empty public utility vehicles on the road.	Study the carrying capacity of roads and implement controls in the granting of franchises to public utility vehicles..
Floods	Silted and impeded esteros and creeks.	Clean up esteros and creeks.
		Demolish obstructive structures along esteros and creeks.
	Silted and impeded rivers.	Clean up rivers.
		Demolish obstructive structures along the rivers.
	Clogged drainage systems.	Clear-up drainage canals and implement a workable Barangay-level solid waste management system.
Poverty	Stiff competition for jobs.	Encourage more job-generating business investments.
	Lack of formal education.	Expanded skills development program.
Overpopulation	Less job opportunities in the rural areas.	Encourage the setting up of businesses and factories in the countryside.
	No workable population control program.	The Reproductive Health Bill.
Decent Housing	Affordability of houses.	Low cost and affordable housing project for legitimate urban poor.
Uncoordinated urban planning	Too many Mayors with kanya-kanya agenda.	Urban planning and development should be designed and planned by only one agency, say: MMDA.  Then all cities and municipalities will comply.
Inadequate healthcare	Poverty due to overpopulation.	Educational and information program aimed at making the urban poor aware of the economics of a big family.
	Insufficient healthcare structure.	Additional budget allocation for health care services.
High criminality rate	Widespread poverty.	More police visibility.  Mandatory installation of CCTV system in all commercial establishments and encourage the installation of the same for those who can afford them.

Just my little thoughts…

REFERENCES:

·         http://www.philstar.com/business/2012-08-10/836602/metro-manila-safe-live

·         http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/habitat/profiles/manila.asp

·         http://www.country-studies.com/philippines/urban-social-patterns.html

·         http://www.pinoyprogress.com/showthread.php?t=1469

·         http://voices.yahoo.com/managing-solid-wastes-philippines-50597.html

·         http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/375688/solutions-to-urban-problems-pushed#.URiyDh2siSo

·         http://www.forum-urban-futures.net/activities/papers/urban-sector-strategy-and-operations-philippines