Metropolitan Arrangements - Philippine Institute for Development ...

232 ManagingUrbanizationUndera DecentralizedGovernanceFramework
Promotion of ecozone devdopment
The Council, in coordination with the provincial office of the
Department of Trade and Industry, has begun laying the groundwork
tbr the entry of an ecozone developer in Pamplona and a selfcontained
agro-processing community in Magarao. Contacts with
investors had been established and all possible assistance extended
to facilitate their entry to the project.
ML Isarog Watershed Management Program
The council, together with various NGO groups, has been in
the process of preparing a watershed management program for Mr.
Isarog through the assistance of the Asian Institute of Management.
The project is meant to protect its main source of water as well as
mitigate the runoff of surface water that causes flash floods in the
Bicol River Basin area. Among the participating member-LGUs are
Pill, Magarao and Naga City.
Key Features
of Success
Leadership and lon_term development vision of Mother City
The MNDC's success was principally bolstered by the leadership
of the mother city, Naga City. Because the city's strategy was anchored
on long-term city development and local inter-dependency, the
development goals had been far-sighted and had considered a
planning perspective that went beyond political boundaries. The
current Naga City leadership did not view its development challenges
as something confined to the city itself. It knew that the shortage of
space, water, migration, squatting and employment could not be
resolved by the city alone; rather, it had to integrate the development
factors of the surrounding areas. Its good relations with neighboring
LGUs and ability to integrate each other's concerns helped sustain
the development efforts. Moreover, Naga City took its role seriously
as the Big Brother in the area by initiating programs or activities that
helped other LGUs deliver basic services to their respective
constituents.
In a nutshell, Naga City's long-term view of city development,
together with its resolve to help its neighbors and the political
leadership to initiate cooperation, are significant hallmarks of the
MNDC success.