TRINKLED

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By CAI U. ORDINARIO
Business Mirror Reporter

Around 2.6 million more Filipinos are projected to be added to the already bursting-at-the-seams population of Metro Manila by 2020, according to the latest report released by the Asian Development Bank .

The ADB report titled “Managing Asian Cities” is projecting the population growth rate in Metro Manila to hit around 24 percent from 2006 to 2020. This will also add to the expectation that the Philippines will have an urban population of 34.8 million by 2030, or a 67.1-percent increase
from 2005, and account for 3.2 percent of the countrys population by that time.

Metro Manila was identified in the report as one of the six Asian cities whose population is already equal to the size of the population in some countries. Using 2005 data, the report said that Metro Manila already had a population of 10.68 million.

The other five cities are Shanghai in China with 12.66 million people; Mumbai in India, 18.34 million; Jakarta in Indonesia, 13.19 million; Bangkok in Thailand, 6.6 million; and Tokyo in Japan, 35.33 million.

The urban population of East Asia is expected to increase by an average of 21 million every year between 2006 and 2030, with an annual increase of 17 million in China, 1 million in Vietnam and 0.2 million in the Philippines.

Most of this growth, the ADB said, will be accommodated on the urban fringe.

However, the ADB said neither markets nor the governments provide the right incentives for sustainable development in these areas.

The consequences of this failure are large and many. The ADB said these consequences include the proliferation of unserviced informal settlements, development that leaves existing residents worse off, encroachment on environmental areas and even more pollution.

“The circumstances vary sharply between countries. For example, rapid growth, strong institutions and proactive approach to urbanization are different from conditions in the Philippines, where there is a general lack of effective planning control or direction,” the report stated.

“The issue is not so much a lack of understanding by governments, but their priorities and efforts. These determine outcomes,” the report added.

The increase in the number of Filipinos residing in the metropolis, and consequently, the number of the Philippines urban population, is also seen to create or worsen the current problems of the city on slum dwelling, pollution and solid- waste management, among others.

In terms of pollution, the increase in urbanization will encourage the building of roads and highways which, in turn, would increase vehicle ownership and worsen air pollution.

In Metro Manila, the ADB report stated that the number of private vehicles is seen to grow by 12 percent every year and double every six years.

Due to these, the ADB said there is an urgent need to foster sustainable development for Asian cities like Metro Manila. Failure to do so, the ADB stressed, will not only significantly endanger the sustainability of living in these cities but also the planet itself.

The ADB said that countries, for one, should move for local government reforms, allowing them more financial room and authority to implement changes, including structural improvement that will lift millions out of poverty.

These changes may include expanding projects that cater to low-income housing that will not only remove slum dwellers, but also help increase the chances of cities to combat the growing threat of poverty and displacement.

“Fostering sustainable development for Asias cities is one of the most important tasks of the 21st century. New partnerships with the leaders of self-reliant cities and new support to dependent cities must be a priority for national governments, international and local financial institutions and nongovernment organizations,” the report stated.

“For development agencies there can be no more important objective than this. Failure will result in environmental depravation and social deprivation for billions. Taking the action required for coordination among agencies and for long-term engagement is the ultimate global public good,” it concluded.