Metropolitan Arrangements - Philippine Institute for Development ...

MetropolitanArrangements in the Philippines 69
tent to which metropolitan management will proceed. This is because
of the provision that says higher jurisdictional body such as metropolitan
authorities can only be established through a congressional
act and that "cities and municipalities shall retain their basic autonomy
and shall be entided to their own local executives and legislative assemblies."
Thus, there are no laws that allow a desirable metropolitan
mechanism with sufficient powers and authority when the situation
calls for its establishment. One of the immediate tasks of
policyrnakers, therefore, is to make appropriate amendments to the
Philippine Charter that will strengthen the metropolitan structure
and promote the objectives of metropolitanization. Some of the promising
provisions can be the inclusion of metropolitan areas as a recognized
territorial and political subdivision of" the country. With such
recognition, it would be easier to accord the structure with enough
powers and functions inherent in such political subdivision. This can
provide [br a stronger constitutional authority and flexibility for any
legislation pertaining to metropolitan organizations.
Rad, ao/inelnde provisions in the Philippine Local Government
Code
The Local Government Code has overlooked local governance
relative to the current and future dynamics of urbanization. Rapid
urbanization as a result of greater industrialization and agricultural
modernization, however, has compelled local government units to
expand their political and administrative linkages with neighboring
cities and municipalities.
Should changes be made in the Local Government Code, its
amendments should be in line with the proposed changes in the
Constitution. This will allow for the eventual changes in the way sharing
of powers and functions between LGUs and the constituted metropolitan
organizations are to be effected. The current Local Government
Code has further strengthened LGUs' powers and responsibilities
while overlooking the fact that a number of them are attaining
the metropolitan character. No provision, however, has been made
to vest appropriate powers and responsibilities best suited to deal
with the unique requirements of metropolitan management and development.
In fact, serious problems still exist in so far as sharing of
powers and responsibilities between the capital city and the surrounding
municipalities is concerned as well as in the lack of appreciation
to give up some of their powers and functions to a higher jurisdictional
body.