CURRENT SITUATION & CONCERNS on URBAN and REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT in the PHILIPPINES by Dr. REY B. AQUINO 3 rd District of Pampanga, Philippines

THE 3 rd DISTRICT OF PAMPANGA Composed of 5 Local Government Units (LGU’s) in the Province of Pampanga: Municipality of Bacolor Municipality of Bacolor Municipality of Mexico Municipality of Mexico Municipality of Sta. Ana Municipality of Sta. Ana Municipality of Arayat Municipality of Arayat City of San Fernando City of San Fernando

Geo graphical Location The 3 rd District of Pampanga belongs to Region III, popularly known as “Central Luzon,” located on Luzon Island and is the largest contiguous lowland area with an estimated 21,500 sq. kms. The 3 rd District of Pampanga belongs to Region III, popularly known as “Central Luzon,” located on Luzon Island and is the largest contiguous lowland area with an estimated 21,500 sq. kms. Seven (7) provinces make up the entire region, they are AURORA, BATAAN, BULACAN, NUEVA ECIJA, PAMPANGA, TARLAC and ZAMBALES. Each province is made up of legislative districts, making the region well-represented in the Philippine Congress. Seven (7) provinces make up the entire region, they are AURORA, BATAAN, BULACAN, NUEVA ECIJA, PAMPANGA, TARLAC and ZAMBALES. Each province is made up of legislative districts, making the region well-represented in the Philippine Congress.

The District’s Organization

Legislative Representation The Congressman / Representative of a district partakes in the legislative interests of their constituents by introducing and working for the passage of Legislative Measures to effectively address social, political and economic needs. The Congressman / Representative of a district partakes in the legislative interests of their constituents by introducing and working for the passage of Legislative Measures to effectively address social, political and economic needs. The proper use of national funds, the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocated for developmental and infrastructure needs of the district are part of the responsibility. The proper use of national funds, the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocated for developmental and infrastructure needs of the district are part of the responsibility.

PROSPECTS FOR URBAN AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT In 1992, the Philippine Government as provided by the Constitution created the National Physical Framework Plan (NPFP), prepared by the National Land Use Committee (NLUC). The document was adopted under Proclamation No. 65 by the President, titled as “Approving the National Physical Framework Plan for 1993 to 2022.” In 1992, the Philippine Government as provided by the Constitution created the National Physical Framework Plan (NPFP), prepared by the National Land Use Committee (NLUC). The document was adopted under Proclamation No. 65 by the President, titled as “Approving the National Physical Framework Plan for 1993 to 2022.”

By 1997 the NLUC recognized the need to update the plan to accommodate new laws, sectoral plans and policies. A broader group of 6 technical working groups and sector representations conceived a renewed purpose called the “National Framework for Physical Planning (NFPP). By 1997 the NLUC recognized the need to update the plan to accommodate new laws, sectoral plans and policies. A broader group of 6 technical working groups and sector representations conceived a renewed purpose called the “National Framework for Physical Planning (NFPP). The new document was conceived to provide the analytical parameters for the planned allocation, use and management of the country’s land and other physical resources. It served as a framework where planning ana management of resources are guided at the national and subnational (regional) level. The new document was conceived to provide the analytical parameters for the planned allocation, use and management of the country’s land and other physical resources. It served as a framework where planning ana management of resources are guided at the national and subnational (regional) level.

Vision & Principles of NFPP The NFPP is a comprehensive basis for determining the prospects for urban and regional development summed up in the following principles: The NFPP is a comprehensive basis for determining the prospects for urban and regional development summed up in the following principles: 1. Food Security 1. Food Security 2. Environmental Stability and 2. Environmental Stability and Ecological Integrity Ecological Integrity 3. Rational Urban Development 3. Rational Urban Development 4. Spatial Integration 4. Spatial Integration 5. Equitable access to physical and natural 5. Equitable access to physical and natural resources resources 6. Private-Public Sector Partnership 6. Private-Public Sector Partnership 7. People Empowerment 7. People Empowerment 8. Market Orientation 8. Market Orientation 9. Recognition of the Rights of the Indigenous People. 9. Recognition of the Rights of the Indigenous People.

ISSUES AND COUNTER- MEASURES ON DEVELOPMENT The challenges and strategies of the NFPP is concerned with providing policy guidelines towards an envisioned growth of the Philippines in a manner that is efficient, equitable, and sustainable. The fundamental problems to be faced are: The challenges and strategies of the NFPP is concerned with providing policy guidelines towards an envisioned growth of the Philippines in a manner that is efficient, equitable, and sustainable. The fundamental problems to be faced are: a. Increasing urban population, a. Increasing urban population, density and demand for urban density and demand for urban services; services; b. Unplanned expansion of settlement areas b. Unplanned expansion of settlement areas

c. Declining Agricultural Productivity c. Declining Agricultural Productivity d. Land Degradation d. Land Degradation e. Limited access to land e. Limited access to land f. Outdated Land Use Plans f. Outdated Land Use Plans g. Increasing role of LGU’s in g. Increasing role of LGU’s in planning planning h. Lack of institutional linkages h. Lack of institutional linkages

NFPP Strategies Given the challenges enumerated, the best strategies recommended are: Given the challenges enumerated, the best strategies recommended are: a. Promotion of national dispersion a. Promotion of national dispersion through regional concentration through regional concentration b. Strengthening of Urban-Rural b. Strengthening of Urban-Rural linkages linkages c. Resource area-based development c. Resource area-based development d. Installation of mechanisms for effective d. Installation of mechanisms for effective regional development regional development

Central Luzon as Example Within the Central Luzon provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga and Tarlac a major thoroughfare is subject to road expansion as an alternative route to Metro-Manila. The road called MacArthur Highway is densely populated. As of recent, the Central Luzon Bloc lobbied for curative action, while the Regional Development Council provided plans and recommendations for execution. Within the Central Luzon provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga and Tarlac a major thoroughfare is subject to road expansion as an alternative route to Metro-Manila. The road called MacArthur Highway is densely populated. As of recent, the Central Luzon Bloc lobbied for curative action, while the Regional Development Council provided plans and recommendations for execution.

EXISTING LAWS & REGULATIONS ON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT 1. The Philippine Constitution as embodied in Sections 1, 2 and 3 of Article XII 2. Public Land Act (amended) 3. Republic Act No Executive Order No Executive Order No Republic Act No Presidential Decree No. 54

VISIONS FOR A BETTER REGION AND NATION As earlier presented, the integrative / interactive planning and management of resources at the national and subnational levels are a basis for optimism. The following considerations are crucial to better urban and regional development: As earlier presented, the integrative / interactive planning and management of resources at the national and subnational levels are a basis for optimism. The following considerations are crucial to better urban and regional development: - Regional Centers should play an - Regional Centers should play an active role, equal to those of central active role, equal to those of central authority; authority; - Promote the principles and strategies of the NFPP - Promote the principles and strategies of the NFPP along a mid-term period; along a mid-term period; - Respect the plans and recommendation of LGU’s - Respect the plans and recommendation of LGU’s and regional administration; and and regional administration; and - Introduce legislative measures favorable to urban and regional - Introduce legislative measures favorable to urban and regional development. development.

MABUHAY at MARAMING SALAMAT PO! - Dr. REY B. AQUINO