Metropolitan Arrangements - Philippine Institute for Development ...

56 ManagingUrbanizationUndera DecentralizedGovernanceFramework
Figure 2. Comparative Structures of Local Government System With
and Without a Metropolitan Body
Philippine Local •Government
System
WithoutMetro Structure
WithMetro Structure
Metropolit_ ] [ Provinoe
comparison is the way component cities and municipalities of the
arrangement can be cross-related with the province and the
metropolitan body. Quite many believe, though, that the identity and
loyalty issue may not necessarily present problems in the legaladministrative
perspective but may do so in the political realm. The
issue becomes sensitive especially when the historical evolution of
Metro Manila is brought to the fore. It may be recalled that the original
composition of Metro Manila prior to the establishment of the MMC
includes the cities of Manila, Quezon City, Pasay and Caloocan--all
units that are not under any provincial jurisdiction. When the MMC
was installed after a pleb!scite was undertaken, the 12 municipalities
that were under the province of Rizal and one municipality under
the province of Bulacan formed part of a special province now called
Metropolitan Manila Area or the National Capital Region (NCR).
Many believe that the eventual late of many municipalities and
component cities upon joining any metropolitan arrangement is to
be detached from the province and become part of a new political
jurisdiction. The experience of Metro Naga, however, shows that it is
possible for municipalities to maintain their identity as a political unit
under the province and still be an active member of the metropolitan
arrangement as well as contribute religiously in all its endeavors while
• doing its responsibilities as part of the larger i_rovince. It should be
mentioned, though, that the MNDC leadership particularly of Naga