Metropolitan Arrangements - Philippine Institute for Development ...

MetropolitanArrangementinthe Philippines 165
Policy Issues
Majority of metropolitan arrangements in the country are still
in a nascent stage of development and as such, are still concerned
with the problem of solidifying their identity.
The following are issues that need to be resolved to enable metro
arrangements
entities:
to evolve into fully-functional political and economic
What structure to adopt
Many metro arrangements are still searching for their ideal
structure. Afew have made their choice but are still shopping around
for better options. Problems are inherent in the Choice of structure
especially since a core requirement is that it should be acceptable to
all LGUs within the metro arrangement.
The problem of structure also involves the problem of
leadership. There are two sides to the issue. First, who should initialize
the process of consensus-building on what structure io adopt. Second,
how to determine a mode of leadership agreeable to all. The dominant
city is expected to take the initiative because it has the greatest stake.
It is recognized as a big brother to lesser LGUs. Moreover, other LGUs
are constrained to make the first move, being structurally under the
provincial government. Still, there is the apprehension that lesser
LGUs may misconstrue the initiative as a political overture to expand
power. Unhappily, this can result into a political stalemate. The choice
of who should lead the formal structure adopted is thus a major
challenge.
Clearly-delineated and well-understood roles and functions of
all political entities involved in the metro arrangement are paramount
concerns for an effective metro structure. A metro arrangement, when
it takes on the cloth of a formal metropolitan structure, inevitably
also requires a full-time organization to become effective.
Financial sustainability
Sustainability requires a steady stream of financing to bankroll
the metro arrangement. Different modes of financing are open for
exploration.
The introduction of a metropolitan structure changes
significandy the relationships of political units in the local government
system. Cities and municipalities planning to join a metro arrangement