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the FUTURE of the world is decidedly URBAN

In the 1800s only 3% of the worlds population lived in urban areas;By 1900s almost 14% were urbanites;By 1950, 30% of the worlds population resided in urban centers;Last 2008, for the first time, the worlds population was evenly split (50%) between urban and rural areas;Projections for 2050 show that 70% of the worlds population will be urban.

(UN World Urbanization Prospects, 2009 edition)

Philippine urban settingIn the Philippines, more than half of the Filipino population is residing in urban areas.

The countrys rate of urban growth since the 1980s is considered as one of the highest in the developing economies of Asia.

Six out of ten (60%) of the nations citizens are living in urban areas and cities of varying sizes.

Effects of rapid urbanizationOverpopulation and overcrowdingTraffic congestionSolid waste and refuse disposalWater and sewerage systemsPublic safety and securityEnvironmental degradation other problems that are directly related to rapid urbanization.

Governance implications Given that the challenges posed by urbanization cannot be underestimated, governments both at the national and local levels are finding efficient and effective ways to manage and govern urban / metropolitan areas.

One of these is the formation of metropolitan alliances/arrangements between neighboring local government units (LGUs) to address common issues and concerns brought about by rapid urban growth.

Governance implications Examples include: Greater London Authority (UK), Metropolitan Toronto (Canada), Tokyo Metropolitan Government (Japan), Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (Thailand), JABOTABEK Region (Indonesia), Metro Manila Development Authority (Philippines).

Yet, scholars in public administration and governance agree that the main challenge in metropolitan alliances is not on the formation/creation of alliances but rather in sustaining and maintaining them.

GOOD METROPOLITAN GOVERNANCE THROUGH INTER-LOCAL ALLIANCES: The Case of Metropolitan Iloilo Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC)HANIBAL EGUICO CAMUAInstructor of Political ScienceDivision of Social SciencesCollege of Arts and SciencesUniversity of the Philippines VisayasMiag-ao, IloiloPhilippines

ContextThis paper discusses issues and concerns arising from sustaining and maintaining metropolitan alliances and how can they become effective engines of good metropolitan governance en route to addressing problems and concerns brought about by rapid urbanization and sporadic urban growth.

This study provides an analysis and evaluation of a metropolitan alliance the Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC) based on its institutional stability and financial sustainability, practice of good governance and achievement of goals and objectives.

Key wordsGood metropolitan governanceInstitutional stability and financial sustainabilityPractice of good governance norms and indicatorsAchievement of goals and objectives

Inter-local allianceMetropolitan alliance

MIGEDCMetropolitan Iloilo-Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC)

Geographical situationer

good governance at the metropolitan level is an imperative first step toward the pursuit of improved quality of urban life in large cities (Treas, 2003)

Problem Statement:

How does MIGEDC strive to attain good metropolitan governance in terms of institutional stability and financial sustainability, norms of good governance and achieving its functions and goals as a metropolitan alliance?

Research ObjectivesTo examine and analyze MIGEDCs stability and sustainability in terms of leadership, membership, legal structures and framework, source of funds, capability to generate own income, resource management, accountability and transparency etc.; To examine and analyze MIGEDCs stability and sustainability in terms of leadership, membership, legal structures and framework, source of funds, capability to generate own income, resource management, accountability and transparency etc.; To identify and examine MIGEDCs good governance practices and mechanisms, especially in their goals and agreed areas of collaboration; To examine and analyze MIGEDCs goal achievement by comparing its actual performance vis--vis its stipulated mandates and functions and identified goals and objectives, and; To analyze and draw vital lessons from the case-study on how to strengthen and sustain metropolitan alliances especially in terms of institutional and financial capacities.

Research Frameworkframework used in analysis for this study is the systems framework, adapted from David Eastons An Approach to the Analysis of Political Systems.

*

INPUTSTrigger issuesPROCESSKey actors/stakeholdersAdministrative aspectsGovernmental aspectsWITHINPUTSBinding and unbinding factorsOUTPUTGood Metropolitan GovernanceOUTCOMEImproved quality of urban life

Good metropolitan governance(1) Institutional stability and financial sustainabilityInstitutional stability mandates that the alliance possesses strong leadership, participative membership, enabling structures and established purpose, plans and operations.Financial sustainability necessitates commitment to fund and finance the alliance, determined sources of funds, payment and collection mechanisms, capability to generate own income, capability to tap external funding sources, established fund management schemes and accountability and transparency in all financial transactions.

Good metropolitan governance(2) Practice of good governance norms and indicatorsParticipationEquityEffectiveness and EfficiencyAccountability and Transparency

* These four (4) indicators are common to UNDP, ADB, UN-Habitat, and UNDP-TUGI.

Good metropolitan governance(3) Achievement of metropolitan goals and objectives9 Agreed Areas of CollaborationMandated goalsLaquians 4 Es of metropolitan governanceEfficiencyEquityEconomic DevelopmentEnvironmental Sustainability

General Findings of the StudyTrigger issue - common pressing local concerns among the member-LGUsKey actors/stakeholder interaction is reflective of the governance paradigm, as there exist collaborative relationship between the government, private/business sector, and the civil society.The institutional, legal and financial aspects of the MIGEDC as a metropolitan alliance are interrelated and thus reinforcing of its purpose, structure, systems and resources.

General Findings of the StudyAs a metropolitan alliance, MIGEDC is institutionally stable as manifested by strong and influential leadership, participative membership, enabling organizational structure and established purpose, plans and operations. Relatively sustainable in terms of finances, with relativity justified on the grounds that the financial aspects of MIGEDC prove to be sustainable at this point, yet it needs immediate attention and serious reconsideration for it to be financially sustainable in the long-term

General Findings of the StudyMIGEDC exemplifies being a paradigm of good governance through promotion of a culture of equity, participation, effectiveness and efficiency and accountability and transparency.

As a work-in-progress and developing metropolitan alliance, MIGEDC continually achieves it goals and objectives in the performance of its mandated functions through its agreed areas of collaboration, general goals and objectives, and the four (4) Es of metropolitan governance .

General Findings of the StudyAs a metropolitan alliance, MIGEDC remains to be a promising platform of coordinated and integrated approach to metropolitan governance thus providing an improved quality of urban life to the citizens and constituents of the Metro Iloilo-Guimaras region.

Implications on the ASEAN regionSpatial integration as common response to rapid urbanization.Urban spillovers transcend territorial and political boundariesIntegrated planning and management of metropolitan areasBioregions initiative as new approach to spatial integrationMetropolitan planning and mangement is based on shared ecosystems and natural geographical features

Synthesis and ConclusionThe future of the world is decidedly urban...

And urbanization poses challenges that local governments must regularly cope and address.But more than just a challenge, urbanization offers opportunity for economic development.

... And in order to fully harness these opportunities for economic development, good metropolitan governance is needed.

Raku` guid nga Salamat!

Maraming Salamat!

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