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LGU PROFILING: Quezon City, Philippines LGU PROFILE
Quezon City is an urban subdivision that composes the aggregate of Metro Manila – being the regional component of NCR. The city is located on the Northeast section of the metro along with Caloocan and an !uan "North#$ %asig$ Mandaluyong$ and an !uan "outh#$ Manila$ Caloocan$ Caloocan$ and &alenzuela &alenzuela on similar direction$ and Mari'ina$ an Mateo$ and Rodriguez "(ast# ")reta$ *++,-$ para. #. para. #. The city is collo/uially 'nown by most 0ilipinos for its acronym 1 QC. 2istorically$ 2istorically$ Quezon City was named after former %resident Manuel 3. Quezon who formally established the city "along with Quezon %rovince# through the Commonwealth 4ct "also 'nown as the Charter of Quezon City# which was signed on )ctober *$ 565 and too' the place of the City of Manila as the National Capital for almost three decades "57815,9#.
:emograp :emographica hically lly spea'ing spea'ing$$ Metro Manila is conside considered red as the th greatest greatest metropolitan metropolitan entity worldwid worldwidee in terms terms of population with almost 6 million residents proportioning proportioning Quezon City ";N$ *+#. *+#. This constitutes *7< of the total regional population. population. 4ccording 4ccording to )reta "*++,#$ the city=s population is relatively scattered throughout throughout its four districts and 7* >arangays? >arangays? whereas$ :istrict *$ where >rgy. Commonwealth is located$ is the most concentrated faction in terms of population with almost million residents "57*$+,7#. * 4s the pro@ection of city population elevates$ the demand in housing inevitably increases. At is gauged that 7< of the population are in need of shelter – predominantly composed of urban poor. tatistics concludes the eBistence of 6$5* households households residing in informal settlements? settlements ? "%eople=s >ureau$ 555? cited from )reta$ *++,-*#. The concentration of informal shelters in the city was mostly observed in some >arangays particularly Payatas$ Payatas$ Batasan Hills$ Hills$ Commonwealth $ Holy Spirit $ and the vicinity of East and North and North Triangle areas. Triangle areas. )ther communities include UP Campus$ Campus$ Bagong Silangan$ Silangan $ Matandang Matandang Balara$ Balara$ Escopa$ Escopa$ Pasong 1 4ccording
to the %hilippines Travel Anformation$ Quezon City became the capital of the %hilippines and the seat of National Dovernment by virtue of Republic 4ct No. 666 which was signed on !uly ,$ 578. Ats title was lost by virtue of %residential :ecree No. 57+ and was then transferred to Manila$ http-EEinfo.philtravelcenter.comE/c1history.php "accessed :ecember 7$ *+7#.
2 ee page *.
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Tamo$ Tamo$ Sauyo$ Sauyo $ and Bahay and Bahay Toro Toro.. Typical occupancy occupancy lies on transmission lines$ cree' sides$ idle lands "public or private#$ and spillways ")reta$ *++,-*#. 4ccording to )reta "*++,-#$ Quezon City also shares the largest geographical fraction with a land area of 9$*.8 9$*.8 hectares. This renders one1fourth of the aggregate size of the National Capital Region. The city is primarily residential by nature? whereas$ residential areas compensate for about 7 percent of the city=s territorial base. The city proper composes multifarious networ's of ma@or passageways passageways such as Araneta Aenue$ Aenue$ E!SA$ E!SA$ "atipunan Aenue$ Aenue$ Aurora Bouleard $ Commonwealth Aenue$ Aenue $ and Boni#acio and Boni#acio Aenue Aenue ")reta$ ")reta$ *++,#. These main roads interconnect the city towards other urban partitions along the metro. 4s per transportation$ the said roads are channeled by rail transits. That is$ 3RT * and MRT are widely accessed in the city so as to attain greater mobility in the traffic system. The City government is currently spearheaded by 2erbert >autista as the Mayor while Ma. !osefina >elmonte14limurung "'nown as !oy >elmonte# serves as the &ice Mayor. The two are eBpected to serve for a siB1year term which will end on *+9. The central administrative seat of local government authorities emanates at the Quezon City 2all "located along Quezon Memorial Circle#. The city has siB districts as its principal local political subdivisions though the former was divided into four legislative districts. 4ccording to the %hilippines Travel Anformation "%TA#$ in !uly *+*$ the city has been segregated into three legislative districts? thus$ enabling the formation of siB diverse partitions. Moreover$ Quezon City is the center of various prominent institutions. Quezon City is the ground of about * national governme government nt offices offices and * government government corporation corporationss ";N$ *+#. *+#. %rominen %rominently tly$$ Quezon Quezon City is the site of Batasan Pam$ansa constituting the 2ouse of Representatives. Representatives. 4dditionally$ 4dditionally$ this is where the Bang%o Sentral Sentral ng Pilipinas$ Pilipinas $ the country=s country=s central monetary authority$ is located. At is also the home of two prestige ;niversities in the archipelago – namely the ;niversity of the %hilippines ":iliman Campus# and Ateneo and Ateneo !e Manila Uniersity 1 Uniersity 1 located along Fatipunan. The city also comprises multitudes of sentimental landmar's most notably the Quezon Memorial Circle "along Quezon City 2all#$ 3a Mesa (co1par'$ (:4 hrine$ %eople %ower monument$ %arish of the 2oly acrifice$ and other ma@or destinations reflecting the historical and personal reflections of the 0ilipino
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race. Quezon City is also the source of eBpertise in medicine where several medical institutions are found therewith. uch includes the National Fidney and Transplant Anstitute$ %hilippine 2eart Center$ (ast 4venue Medical Center$ the world1class t. 3u'e=s Medical Center$ and other well1'nown public and private hospitals. An contemporary sense$ Quezon City is considerably the base trend of diverse establishments imploring leisure and entertainment. This includes the Araneta Center in Cu$ao where four ma@or malls are installed – &ateway$ Alimall $ SM Cu$ao$ and 'armers( . At is also the home of the 4raneta Coliseum "'nown today as the mart 4raneta Coliseum# where lots of ma@or local and international events are held. Moreover$ other well1'nown malls include Trinoma$ SM North Edsa and other M outlets$ 'airiew Center Mall $ Ber%eley S)uare$ Eastwood $ Eer &otesco$ Shopwise$ *alter Mart $ and other ma@or shopping destinations therein. 6 An terms of socioeconomic status$ Quezon City yields the largest pool of manpower in the %hilippines with an employed human resource assets amounting to .9,* million "3ocal Dovernment of Quezon City#. 4bove *+$+++ college graduates also contribute to economic output of the city annually. The predominance of its consumer base resides on the youth sector capturing more than 7+< of the city=s population. Quezon City is also the largest service economy in the country with more than 8$+++ registered business outlets engaging in wholesale and retail. >usiness in the city is primarily deemed in small to medium scale establishments that are engaged in the distribution of finished crafts and the provision of basic personal services. Gith the geographical proportion of the area$ mostly developed in the advent of commercial and industrial ventures$ the city has seen the potential of increasing orientation of large businesses assimilated upon the gesture of large pool of wor'force. 4s mentioned above$ the city is considered as the third largest shopping center in the world with more than *8 gigantic shopping centers "QC$ Dovernment$ *+7#. Quezon City is regarded as the second most competitive city in the %hilippines "4AM$ *++,? cited from QC Dovernment website$ *+7#. 4s the result of this competitiveness$ the city placed an eBemplary ran'ing among *++ 4sian cities "4sia>iz$ *++,? cited from QC Dovernment$ *+7#. The city ran's at the seventh spot along with ingapore and Taipei as one of the future=s top cities. The attributes were ta'en by virtue 3 The
3ocal Dovernment of Quezon City$ H&isiting QC$I http-EE/uezoncity.gov.phEindeB.phpJ optionKcomLcontentviewKarticleidK6AtemidK65 "accessed :ecember 6$ *+7#
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of economic potential$ cost effectiveness$ /uality of human resource$ and /uality of living. 4ccording to )reta "*++,-*$ para. *#$ the average monthly family income in Quezon City "55,# is %2% 67$+*.++.++ which is practically higher than the rest of Metro Manila=s averaging around %2% **$86.++. The families belonging to the upper class have a monthly income of %2% *6$8.++ which is ineBtricably high as to that of the income base of those households belonging to the middle down to lower class with an income amounting to %2% *8$6,.++ and %2% ,$8+.++ respectively "N)$ *++5? cited from )reta$ *++,-*$ para. *#. Quezon City is regarded as the residential powerhouse for it creates an amusing living eBperience as it is the nest of miBed1use lifestyle$ *71hour establishments with numerous residential condominiums$ businesses$ wide span wireless fidelity access$ restaurants$ commercial centers$ and other integrated areas of modern1based living. The city is ac'nowledged as the core of broadcast media in the %hilippines wherein its ma@or networ' offices are located as well as the epitome of event planning and production management. Meanwhile$ according to the Quezon City website$ the literacy rate of the general population in the city is higher than the national average with a range of 58.6*<. This means that the city has a vast (nglish1spea'ing population? thus$ the educational instruction in most learning areas in Quezon City=s academic institutions generally applies the (nglish language. 0urthermore$ Quezon City has also innovated Anformation Technology facilities where in fact$ the city is the first local government unit in the country with a computerized real estate assessment and systematic payment mechanisms. The city government has generated a data of 7++$+++ real property units with the capacity to record payments. At has also grounded the terrain of modern education? whereas$ Quezon City has its interactive science center enabling a more eBtensive learning in terms of information technology and pure science. An addition$ the Quezon City Dovernment has launched H(asy 4ccess Quezon CityI connoting the use of electronic official receipt "e)R# in payment transactions ma'ing the city as the first local government unit in the country to implement such technological upgrade. 7
4 The 3ocal Dovernment of Quezon City$ HQuezon City launches first electronic )fficial Receipt used in 3D; transaction$I
http-EEwww./uezoncity.gov.phEindeB.phpJoptionKcomLcontentviewKarticleidK759-/c1launches1first1electronic1or1used1in1lgu1 transactioncatidKAtemidK69* "accessed :ecember 6$ *+7#
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4s a progressive urban entity$ Quezon City has been recognized in various places in global setting. The Gorld >an'$ for eBample$ described the City from a Hstate of disintegration into one of the richest and cleanest cities in the worldI today. The city has also received commendations from ingapore Dovernment way bac' *++8 in light of its successful environmental programs – particularly delving on Clean Gater$ Climate Change$ and Gaste Management. 4s one of the most competitive cities in the archipelago$ it can be undoubtedly pronounced that Quezon City has yielded a spot that glorified itself into the international community. The unyielding implementation of ordinances and eBtensive regulation of city=s resources are the dominant factors seen as the imperative coefficients shaping its popular stance. Ats huge manpower base$ cost effectiveness$ diverse amenities$ and integrated information technology are probably the reasons why Quezon City utters the greatest density today in terms of buildings and Techno1hubs.
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ADMINISRAI!E PROFILE: EXISTING ADMINISTRATION "E#e$uti%e &n' Coun$il(
"Quezon City Dovernment Gebsite$ *+7# E)ECUI!E:
C+T, MA,-- 2erbert H>iste'I >autista C+T, /+CE MA,-- Ma. !osefina H!oyI >elmonte14limurung
DISRIC
COUNCILORS "LEGISLAI!E(
2on. 4nthony %eter :. Crisologo , 2on. Ricardo T. >elmonte !r., 2on. :orothy 4. :elarmente , 2on. 3ena *
Marie %. !uico, 2on. &ictor &. 0errer$ !r., 2on. 4leBis R. 2errera 2on. %recious 2ipolito1Castelo , 2on. &oltaire 3iban AAA , 2on. Roderic' M. %aulate, 2on. Ranulfo .
+
3udovica , 2on. Ramon %. Medalla , 2on. (strella C. &almocina 2on. 4llan >enedict . Reyes , 2on. Dian Carlo D. otto, 2on. 0ranz . %umaren, 2on. (ufemio C.
3agumbay , 2on. !ose Mario . de 3eon , and 2on. !aime 0. >orres 2on. !esus Manuel C. untay , 2on. Marvin C. Rillo, 2on. &incent D. >elmonte !r., 2on. Rac/uel .
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MalaOgen , 2on. !essica Castelo :aza , 2on. >ayani &. 2ipol 2on. !ose 4. &isaya , 2on. !ulienne 4llyson Rae &. Medalla , 2on. Dodofredo T. 3iban AA , 2on. 4ndres !ose
.
D. Pllana$ !r., 2on. 4llan >utch T. 0rancisco , 2on. Farl (dgar C. Castelo
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2on. (den :elilah 4. Medina$ 2on. :iorella Maria D. otto , 2on. Marivic Co1%ilar , 2on. Rogelio !uan , 2on. Melencio T. Castelo , 2on. :onato C. Matias
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S0O ANAL1SIS: Quezon City, Philippines
CONSIDERAIONS
SRENG2S
0EA3NESSES
OPPORUNIIES
2REAS
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*4 E$ono5i$
•
'illed
• •
wor'force 2uge manpower 2igh profitability
•
and revenue %roductive
Potenti&l
•
•
2ighly
•
2igh demand in
•
labor 0low
Competitive •
Mar'et 2igh business taB
graduates
global mar'et
economic output
mean
lower
establish
business 2igher appeal to to
would
investments 0avorable avenue to
Drowing competition
of
consumer base College
contributing
•
•
profitability ;nlicensed business
•
establishments Transposition of registered establishments to other cities
9
+4 Dis&ste6 Re'u$tion
Ris7
•
&n'
M&n&8e5ent •
Concrete disaster
•
;nregulated
•
management
infrastructures
Community
plan >udget
">illboards# hort term
Coordination
•
prioritization allotment
strategic for •
disaster management
•
framewor's Coordination
•
•
trengthening
•
Campaigns :irect institutional
>arangays
lin'age
during calamity
preparatory
high
magnitude
plans Resilience
between
0looding %otential
•
(arth/ua'es 0ires and
•
epidemic )ccupied waterways
for
schemes
4 So$i&l De%elop5ent on 2ousin8 P6o86&5s
•
4ble
to
•
implement
aiming for more
ac/uisition
revenue
allotted
ordinances
fleBible
3ow
taB
•
for
housing pro@ects ignificant proportion
of
residents remain unsheltered
•
:elegation
•
3and ownership
•
withdrawal %ending housing
through national •
authorities %ro1poor
pro@ects could be
programs
detrimental
through %%%
public health and safety
to
10
Retroactive
Commits a flaw
De%elop5ent on En%i6on5ent&l
implementation
on
of
Poli$ies "'el%in8 on
•
-4 So$i&l
&
poli$y(
spe$i9i$
ome ordinances
•
Massive
delving on waste
0looding during
enabling
management
high
intensity
oriented
incidental %lastic
would
ordinances Annovative
consumption
added revenue.
rainfall earch
for
through
alternative
policies on waste
monetary
landfill ;nregulated
environment
management •
regulation
•
payment Too
yield
slums
would
industrialization
aggravate
water
causing
pollution Running out of
much
•
inade/uacies waste management facilities
5 This eBcludes the Darbage fee as it has
an
been halted by the upreme Court.
in
3andfill reserves
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ANAL1SIS
Quezon City is undoubtedly considered as one of the most progressive and innovative cities today. The flawless international records of the city indisputably attest to this merit. :espite its pervasive omnipotence$ however$ li'e other cities$ Quezon City li'ewise faces some potential wea'nesses that could put the city=s status into compromise. This part elucidates the trengths$ Gea'ness$ )pportunities$ and Threats that could be deciphered in the city as divided into several considerations – (conomic %otential$ :isaster Ris' Reduction Management$ ocial :evelopment through 2ousing$ and ocial :evelopment through promoting environmental preservation and awareness. An terms of economic potential$ it is undeniably conclusive that Quezon City poses an eBemplary strength in terms of economy. Quezon City has a very high average percentage in terms of employment with a rate of 88.7< with a labor force participation rate of more than 9*< "Quezon City- The %lace to >e$ *++#. At is almost in line with the national rate with reaching to a percentile of 97.<. 4s a result$ this huge labor force of the city yields ascended human resource assets amounting to .9,* million. 4ccording to the QC Dovernment website$ another factor re@uvenating the economic stance of Quezon City is the turnout of college graduates who were able to contribute to the economic output of the city? whereas$ more than *+$+++ graduates contribute to the gross product of the city yearly – thus$ logically elevating the city=s aggregate income. The city is also one of the focal points of commerce where in fact$ according to the website of the Quezon City local government$ the city is considered as the %hilippines= largest service economy with a total of more than 8$+++ registered business establishments engaged primarily in wholesale and retailing "3ocal Dovernment of Quezon City#. The high demand in the city practically comprises its great potential in terms of profitability. 4s mentioned in the introductory profile$ the city has tallied a high consumer base dominated by youth – averaging to more than 7+< of the city population younger than *+ years. The city is also a good avenue for those who are planning to engage in business brought by its high profitability – the healthy consumer base and the flow of investments are the ma@or considerations utilizing the latter. Notwithstanding its economic strength$ the Quezon City manifests deficiencies in terms of taB system and economic struggle. That is$ the highly competitive mar'et of the city might be a threat to its overall profitability. 4s business
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engagements arise$ other entrepreneurial outlets might be at ris' – especially the small1scale establishments. ome business1oriented individuals also raised concerns in terms of the imposition of taB? whereas$ it was apprehended during the first /uarter of *+7 that at least 9*$+++ business establishments are planning to transfer to other cities in the metro due to eBcessively high taB imposed thereof. 4ccording to %eralta "*+7#$ a 9, percent increase in business taB has been imposed in the city recently which served a detrimental threat to business stalls residing therein. To give a clear assessment of the increase$ one small1scale business paying *$+++ pesos of business taB in *+6 will be opt to pay 75$+++ pesos for this year ">alita$ *+7? cited from %eralta$ *+7#. 4dditionally$ failure of the local government to address the sentiments of the business sector would actually compel these entrepreneurs to levy the taB to the consumers so as to recover from the taB hi'e. 4nother high1sounding threat delves on the presumed eBistence of unlicensed business establishments. These are enterprises usually originating from slum areas. %eople residing in the said environment are said to create businesses li'e food stands$ push carts$ or any other ventures that could serve as a competing force to those registered establishments. 3ogically$ this notion virtually circumvents the city=s business policies for it li'ewise prompts the presence of unlicensed micro1 entrepreneurial establishments. The city government$ along with the delegated powers vested to MM:4$ has been doing collective efforts in order to dismantle these illegal stalls though the problem is observed to 'eep on eBisting particularly in some areas most notably at >alintawa'. An terms of disaster management$ it is delighting to see that the city has its concrete disaster management plan. The pilot enforcement of Quezon City :isaster Ris' Reduction and Management )ffice in *++ has been carried out following the tremendous impact brought by Typhoon H)ndoy.I The said department ta'es care of various efforts in preparation of disasters that could arise especially during rainy season. The office ventures trainings$ seminars$ and wor'shops to be conducted in different communities within the city with the help of other departments and even Non1Dovernment )rganizations "ND)# so as to ac/uaint the volunteers with regards to life1saving techni/ues especially during typhoons "(cheminada$ *++9#. >y that stance$ the main inference is that this group is the product of the lessons that the city had learned during such horrifying calamity. The city has also a substantive concession in terms of disaster reduction amounting to ++ million annually "QCs :isaster Ris' Reduction and Management )ffice$ *+7#.
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The city pays much relevance to disaster management as it is attested by virtue of its budget appropriation. 4s a matter of fact$ the approved city budget in *+6 shows utmost priority to disaster reduction mechanisms – along with the compensation for its social services. 4lthough plans have been settled$ the problem would still emanate on the recurrent actuality of transient residents alongside. That is$ these residents tend to build houses near ma@or spillways most particularly along rivers and under the bridges. The wastes coming from these areas are usually dumped into the waterways causing clogged paths. )ne eBample is the situation on RoBas :istrict during 2abagat and )ndoy "ebastian$ *+6#. The overflowing river released lots of waste products coming from residential areas compounded by clogged canals. imilar situation is also observed in 4raneta 4venue along (. Rodriguez where the river flows abruptly during massive rain showers. The river is surrounded by interconnected informal residential areas. The local government seems to have no long term plans in terms of flood control as well as conspicuous deficiencies in terms of housing pro@ects. These peripheral communities are said to contribute significantly in midst of these eBisting threats. 4nother predicament would be the coordination of >arangays during calamities. That is$ with several eBceptions$ some communities fail to establish a concrete local disaster ris' reduction plan$ @ust li'e in %ayatas$ where the said cli/ue portrays the urgency of formulating disaster management plans for there are potential ris's in the area especially in its repository "4nnawi$ >encito$ (rro$ *+7#. This concern is now being addressed by strengthening community engagement and trainings through its own QC:RRM office as well as other institutional lin'ages such as (nvironmental cience for ocial Change "(C#$ ;nited Nations Anternational trategy for :isaster Reduction "in midst of its Gorld :isaster Reduction Campaign last *++1*+#$ and other resilience campaigns enabling local community engagement. The analysis similarly points out the deficiency in terms of billboards? whereas$ there are many billboard platforms in the city which could be life1threatening whenever something happens "i.e. sudden structural disintegration#. This is very particular in main roads li'e (:4. 4ccording to ;nited Nations Anternational trategy for :isaster Reduction ";NA:R# "*+#$ the city shows a vulnerable character with regards to disaster. The city is prone to ris's such as 0looding as the city serves as the catch basin served by a networ' of cree's and rivers. The city is surrounded by a system of five river systems with 77 headwaters. This ma'es ,8 areas at ris' of
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flashfloods among 6 distinct communities when these rivers overflow. The city is also vulnerable to earth/ua'es. The eastern portion of Quezon City is covered by the fault line called the Mari'ina &alley 0ault. even out of * 'ilometers of the fault line is lin'ed to the city ma'ing 5 local communities at ris' with the threat – such could probably affect more than $+++ families. 3astly$ the city poses the apprehension of epidemic and spontaneous fires. That is$ the constricted proportion of informal settlements in the area could lead to the spread of dengue virus. More than $+++ cases of dengue are recorded every year. These cases are presumed to get bigger due to the city=s growing population. The city is also vulnerable to fire incidents as laid by its most congested areas. 4round 5++ incidents are tallied yearly mostly occurring during hot season ";N1A:R$ *+#. )n the other hand$ another consideration delves on the housing programs of the city=s local government. The city has its ma@or wea'ness pointing out the insufficiency of its allotment for housing pro@ects. The lone eBpenditure divulged by the city government to be spent for this purpose is virtually too small to compensate the vast proportion of residents needing formal settlements? thus$ ma'ing the need of ac/uiring bigger finances more of a challenge. The city government could not @ust get funds slotted for other pro@ects since it might impede the implementation of its partitioned basic services. This normally ma'es the trouble of getting additional revenue enigmatic. The city government was fortunately able to substantially address the problem through a supplementing taB. At is a strong point that the city government was able to impose revenue ac/uisition mechanisms that would generate additional funds for sheltering. These are the ocialized 2ousing TaB "2T# and the Adle 3and TaB. The 2T is a special assessment proportional to +.< of the assessed value of the land eBceeding ++$+++ pesos. The said ordinance is only good for five years. 4ccording to the estimate of QC AT :epartment$ only *9< of the city=s real property taBpayers will be affected. To reconcile the criticism coming from the landowners$ the 2T consists of taB credit benefit that will be entitled to those who will pay faithfully within the 1year period. Meanwhile$ the Adle TaB imposes 6< and < added taB rates for idle lands among main roads and inner areas respectively ">aOacia$ *+#. These two taB reforms are said to be the practical approaches of the local government in order to resolve insufficiency on this eBpenditure. These taBes help gain revenue to supplement the city government pro@ects while encouraging the landowners to ma'e their land vicinities more productive "ocialized 2ousing TaB Gill Remove ;rban >light#. 2owever$ some appellations point out that
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these taBes would @ust aggravate the landowners. Meaning$ it is not the fault of the landowners that these informal settlers do not own a HlegitimateI home so why would the city government agonize them "landowners# @ust to substantiate their social grievances. 4ccording to some sectors$ Quezon City is already rich. The /uestion of greater taB imposition therefore lies into common perception. >ased on the statement found in the website of the QC 3ocal Dovernment$ it has been mentioned that the city government has been stretching out its budget so as to complement its pro@ects yet the flaws on fund ac/uisition still persist. The landowners might have the tendency of withdrawing their land ownership due to massive taBes inflicted therein. To uplift the spirits of these landowners$ it was mentioned " see the latter statements# that the city government will impose taB credit benefits for those who will pay their taBes consistently during the ordinance=s five years period "ocialized 2ousing TaB Gill Remove ;rban >light#. 4nother threat is a miBture of both social and environmental apprehension wherein failure to supplement these essential commodities would aggravate the social trac' of these residents by hanging them in a hostile and hazardous environment while putting formal communities into a compromise. At could be environmental for the eBtent that this might actually intensify pollution. This is because most transient areas reside in spillways. 2ousehold wastes on these shelters are basically dumped in the river ma'ing the water system prone to contamination. The local government sees affiliation as an opportunity to resolve this problem. That is$ the city government has been reinventing transactional and tactical policy and methodologies so as to effectively come up with a good pro@ect turnout. )ne eBample is delegation. The city government$ by virtue of its certainly allotted revenue$ coordinates with %4D1A>AD fund so as to capture reserves and to serve as a catalyst for a more fleBible process. The city government also engages in %ublic1%rivate %artnerships "%%%#? whereas$ &ice %resident !e@omar >inay commended the Quezon City Council for initiating %%%s in building pro1poor housing communities – especially during the inauguration of >iste'ville * in >arangay Faligayahan "0ilart >aluyot$ *+*#. 9 The schematic paradigms of the subse/uent housing pro@ects are eBpected to go with similar methods.
6 >iste'ville
* is the second ma@or housing pro@ect implemented by the Quezon City Council. The pro@ect comprises a cash incentive of +$+++ pesos "cited from 0ilart >aluyot$ *+*$ The &U+!-N #.
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The last attribute scrutinizes the city=s social development in terms of environmental preservation. )ne of the commendable stances of Quezon City is its ability to enforce ordinances that would benefit the environment. This has been noted through numerous recognitions received by the city. )ne notable appreciation was the commendation anointed by ingapore in behalf of its successful environmental programs delving on clean water$ climate change$ and waste management "Quezon City- The %lace to >e$ *++#. The damage left by 2abagat in *++5 substantially highlighted the urgency to develop ordinances that would regulate waste disposal in the city proper. To support the latter$ the city council implemented the %lastic >ag Reduction )rdinance$ %lastic and tyrofoam >an$ and Darbage 4cceleration %rogram so as to ma'e the city a more sanitary place. Anstead$ most establishments will pose a mandate to use paper or cloth bags for shopping purposes. These programs do not @ust complement with the city=s waste management mechanisms$ but it also helps regulate the general measures ta'en by the government in disaster management. The amount of garbage being spurred by ma@or river systems is too abundant especially during the advent of tropical storms. These ordinances were also able to intensify the bureaucratic arms of the local government for it li'ewise contributes to the city=s fiscal domains by generating additional revenue? thus$ ma'ing it innovative. Consumers are re/uired to pay * pesos for every plastic bag that will be used within the city. An an amendment to the ordinance=s Amplementing Rules and Regulations$ establishments are re/uired to submit a pro@ect proposal before using the fund. The latter is called the Dreen 0und. 4ccording to Councilor :orothy :elarmente$ member of the city council who created the ordinance$ the Dreen 0und was able to generate revenue of more than 9+ million pesos. The collection is said to be used for further environment1oriented pro@ects of the local government such as the installation of solar panels in malls and tree1planting activities "cited from Ranada$ *+7#. Notwithstanding its inter'nitted dynamics$ some critics assert that the ordinance is not effective at all. 4ccording to 0roilan Drate$ president of Mother (arth 0oundation – an environmental organization$ the said fee is unnecessary for the reason that Quezon City has sufficient money intended for its environmental programs. Amposing the fee would @ust serve as a burden for the consumers as they avail these plastic bags where in reality$ it must be the city government that must use its funds for the implementation of its pro@ects "cited from Ranada$ *+7#. 0urthermore$ onia Mendoza$ M(0 Chairperson and a resident of Quezon City$ said that * pesos
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is too small to discourage the consumers from buying plastic bags. That is$ by the moment that a consumer forgot to bring a cloth bag for shopping$ the cashier would @ust as' the buyer if heEshe wants to avail a plastic bag while offering it in a virtually cheap price "* %2%#. Thus$ it will be very easy for that consumer to plead a HyesI. Aronically$ it seems li'e the city government=s approach to this ordinance is an encouraging vibe to the residents of Quezon City by saying that the small amount paid for these plastic bags will go to the government=s green pro@ects. 4 study will be conducted in order to determine the distribution of garbage on the succeeding years. This will assess the overall effectiveness of the program in terms of waste disposal. The said study is eBpected to be accomplished by *+ "&inarao$ *+7? cited from Ranada$ *+7#. 4nother criticism points out the contention of a total plastic ban. The Quezon City Dovernment should have @ust imposed a total ban in order to substantially regulate the brea'down of plastic consumption. %rior to this$ Councilor :elarmente said in an interview that the point is not to pull out anything. %aper bags$ as proposed by some organizations$ would ta'e a very long time to decompose @ust li'e plastic? so to say$ permanently adopting paper bags is not a good idea either. The main contention of the councilor is @ust to minimize the consumption threshold so as to reduce plastic wastes "cited from Ranada$ *+7#. Moreover$ some establishments that are relying on plastic materials might be affected in case of a total ban. Therefore$ instead of imposing the latter$ the city government @ust enforced a regulatory scheme although other cities in Metro Manila were able to implement a total plastic ban such as Mari'ina$ Mandaluyong$ %asig$ Muntinlupa$ and %asay. 4ccording to Ranada "*+7#$ the said policy is in compliance of the Total %lastic >an 4ct of *+ authored by enator 3oren 3egarda. Reiterating the ob@ective$ the law aims to ease the agony brought by flashfloods due to clogged waterways during spontaneous rainfalls. 4nother waste management policy of the city government is the so1called garbage fee where the land area occupied by the house is assessed and will be used as the basis of determining the fee that will be levied upon the homeowner. The cost range starts from ++1++ pesos in houses while a cost range of *1*++ pesos will be imposed upon condominium units and socializing housing units in the city "Ranada$ *+7#. :ue to various /uestions arising upon the ordinance$ the upreme Court had recently stopped its implementation.
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4nother ma@or concern delves on city=s landfill facilities. The city government is rushing to loo' for a new land that will serve as a dumping facility of more than 768$+++ tons of garbage that the city generates yearly. This is in anticipation of the eBpiration of the eBtended contract with the private entity that manages the landfill 1 as well as the closure of the principal garbage repository of the city "%o$ *+7? cited from Ranada$ *+7#. The closure is to avoid the possible recurrence of %ayatas Tragedy way bac' year *+++. The topography of the Hmo'ey MountainI is already too steep to be 'ept from operating despite angular ad@ustments. The city government has pro@ected its alternatives though it is not within the vicinity of Quezon City. This includes Rodriguez in Rizal and Clar' at %ampanga. 4ccording to %o "*+7#$ up to now$ the apprehensions of searching for a new landfill still serve as a living threat for the reason that distant areas would practically mean drastic increase at the eBpense of waste management "cited from Ranada$ *+7#. :espite significant innovations in terms of policy1ma'ing$ the Quezon City is still on the brin' of eBperiencing massive flashfloods by the time of tropical cyclones. The city is a vessel of five distinct river systems with 77 channeled tributaries ")reta$ *++,#. The city government must be able to revitalize its waterways and to be able to capacitate various methodologies for a long term disaster plan. 4lso$ the resonating threat of searching for a new landfill li'ewise manifests similar threats to Quezon City. That is$ failure to set a new landfill would threaten public health as collected garbage is naturally deteriorating. The advent of industrialization similarly stems a big threat for the environment as the factory wastes and industrial emissions would bring up water and air pollution. The unregulated informal settlements might also contribute to water pollution for these communities are typically unconscious of sanitation measures "see !isaster is% eduction and Housing Programs #. The huge proportion of motor vehicles encompassing the city might be a contributing factor as well. The source usually emanates from its main roads and nearby industrial ventures. The local government must enhance its powers even more at the eBpense of multilateral coordination between the national government$ the private sector$ and the civil society. The outgrowing conditions of the urban community could be a destructive factor in the long run. ;rban progression should not depend on economic proliferation alone? hence$ it should also come up with environmental regulation.
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Quezon City is undeniably a progressive city. Ats remar'able trac' record gives relevance to its status as one of the best cities in the world. At may be generally strong$ though li'e other cities$ it has also its threats and deficiencies that could potentially downgrade its status. At is the @ob of the local government to address these seeming shortcomings so as to avoid the occurrence of its detrimental repercussions in the long run.
0o67s Cite'
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4nnawi$ :.$ >encito$ :.$ (rro$ (. "*+7$ )ctober ,#. Strengthening local disaster ris% reduction and management capacity in Barangay Payatas0 1ue2on City. Retrieved :ecember 6$ *+7$ from (nvironmental cience for ocial Changehttp-EEessc.org.phEcontentEstrengthening1local1disaster1ris'1reduction1and1management1capacity1in1barangay1payatas1/uezon1 cityE >aOacia$ D. T. "*+$ )ctober *+#. 1C needs to address its s)uatter pro$lem . Retrieved :ecember 7$ *+7$ from An/uirer.nethttp-EEopinion.in/uirer.netE95E/c1needs1to1address1its1s/uatter1problem (cheminada$ %. "*++9$ !une 8#. 1C to hold typhoon awareness seminars . Retrieved :ecember 6$ *+7$ from %hiltar Nation http-EEwww.philstar.comEmetroE67*757E/c1hold1typhoon1awareness1seminars 0ilart$ !. 3.$ >aluyot$ %. %. "*+*$ :ecember *,#. 1C local go(t highlights enironmental issues0 housing programs . Retrieved :ecember 7$ *+7$ from The D;A:)N- http-EEwww.theguidon.comE*EmainE*+*E*E/c1local1govt1highlights1 environmental1issues1housing1programsE A:R$ ;. "*+#. 1UE3-N C+T,. Retrieved :ecember 6$ *+7$ from %revention Gebhttp-EEwww.preventionweb.netEapplicationsEhfaElgsatEenEimageEhrefE989 N). "*+6$ !uly *9#. 1ue2on City Population Pea%ed at 4.5 Million 6esults #rom the 4787 Census o# Population and Housing9 . Retrieved :ecember 6$ *+7$ from %hilippine tatistics 4uthority- http-EEweb+.psa.gov.phEcontentE/uezon1city1population1 pea'ed1*81million1results1*++1census1population1and1housing N). "*++*$ )ctober 8#. 1ue2on City: The Philippines;
an'http-EEinfo.worldban'.orgEetoolsEdocsElibraryE*65**ECL(C%<*+4ndres<*+)reta<*+61.pdf %eralta$ T. 4. "*+7$ !anuary 6+#. 1C;s 8>?@ $usiness ta hi%e hit . Retrieved :ecember 7$ *+7$ from un tar Manilahttp-EEwww.sunstar.com.phEmanilaElocal1newsE*+7E+E6+E/cs19,1business1taB1hi'e1hit16*86
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Policy Statement on !isasteris% eduction and Enironment Management . "*++$ )ctober #. Retrieved :ecember 6$ *+7$ from 3ocal Dovernment of Quezon City- http-EEwww./uezoncity.gov.phEindeB.phpJoptionKcomLcontentampidK*6,-policy1 statement1on1disaster1ris'1reduction1and1environment1managementamp 1C;s !isaster is% eduction and Management -##ice . "*+7$ !uly *#. Retrieved :ecember 7$ *+7$ from 3ocal Dovernment of Quezon City- http-EEwww./uezoncity.gov.phEindeB.phpJoptionKcomLcontentviewKarticleidK8-/cs1disaster1ris'1 reduction1and1management1officecatidK-latest1newsAtemidK69* 1ue2on City Cited #or Addressing +n#ormal Settler Pro$lem . "n.d.#. Retrieved :ecember 7$ *+7$ from 3ocal Dovernment of Quezon City- http-EEwww./uezoncity.gov.phEindeB.phpJoptionKcomLcontentviewKarticleidK,-/c1cited1for1addressing1informal1 settler1problemcatidK-latest1newsAtemidK69* 1ue2on City: The Place to Be. "n.d.#. Retrieved :ecember 6$ *+7$ from 3ocal Dovernment of Quezon Cityhttp-EEwww./uezoncity.gov.phEindeB.phpJoptionKcomLcontentviewKarticleidK69AtemidK*6 Ranada$ %. "*+7$ November 7#. 1ue2on City plastic $ag #ee to go to ;green; proects . Retrieved :ecember 7$ *+7$ from Rapplerhttp-EEwww.rappler.comEscience1natureEenvironmentE,+*1/uezon1city1plastic1bag1fee Ranada$ %. "*+7$ 0ebruary 9#. SC stops 1ue2on City gar$age #ee collection . Retrieved :ecember 7$ *+7$ from Rapplerhttp-EEwww.rappler.comEnationE758991sc1stops1/uezon1city1garbage1fee ebastian$ R. 4. "*+7$ eptember *#. D'looded( $arangay in 1C needs help . Retrieved :ecember 6$ *+7$ from C>C% Newshttp-EEwww.cbcpnews.comEcbcpnewsEJpK7,8 Sociali2ed Housing Ta *ill emoe Ur$an Blight . "n.d.#. Retrieved :ecember 7$ *+7$ from 3ocal Dovernment of Quezon Cityhttp-EEwww./uezoncity.gov.phEindeB.phpJoptionKcomLcontentviewKarticleidK68*-socialized1housing1taB1will1remove1 urban1blightcatidKAtemidK69*