Metropolitan Arrangements - Philippine Institute for Development ...

168 ManagingUrbanizationUndera DecentralizedGovernanceFramework
clear to maximize benefits. For instance, the 1991 Local Government
Code gave the Department of Budget and Management power to
review LGU budgets in lieu of the Metropolitan Manila Development
Authority. This has institutionalized the disjointed programming and
budgeting process in the metropolis and prevented the maximization
of resources. The same lack of institutional linkage exists with sectoral
line agencies making it difficult for the Metro Manila Development
Authority (MMDA)to influence their priorities.
Recognizing the role of nwtropolitan planning and insthttions
Planners should recognize the implications of metropolitanization
in the medium and long term. Recognition of metro institutions
as orchestrator of inter-local service delivery is also important.
The Regional Development Councils, as the development planning
and policymaking body in the regions, can provide support to
local governments which are politically constrained to initiate metro
arrangements.
Research and devdopment
Philippine literature on metropolitan planning and
management, including rigorous policy studies, are lacking. Focus
has largely been only on Metro Manila. There should be more studies
in metropolitan governance to assist in policy interventions especially
in the areas of institutional development, financial management,
urban environmental management and global competitiveness of
megacities.
Choosing the Appropriate Metro Structure
There are three basic models of governance from which local
governments may choose their preferred structure.
Metropolitan city
One is the metropolitan city under which a single LGU has
responsibility for all local functions. This structure has the advantage
of ease in coordinating activities and implementing plans. Duplication
of services is less likely. The formation of a new city also resolves the
issue of legal administrative ties between the province and the towns
involved in the metro arrangement. Its weak point lies in its general
inability to account for intra-city or neighborhood differences in the
demand for the package of services.