'Supreme Court ruling on Camsur clears Senate'
MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) decision upholding the constitutionality of the redistricting of Camarines Sur has vindicated the decision of the Senate that heavily debated the issue.

Sen. Joker Arroyo said yesterday “with that kind of vote, the possibility of a reversal through a motion of reconsideration is slim.”

“The three branches of the government have spoken in unison. Houses (of Congress) have enacted the bill, the executive has signed into law, and the Supreme Court has upheld the law. We must move on and respect our adjudicatory process.”

The Senate voted 12-2 for the redistricting of Camarines Sur.

The losing parties appealed to the SC for relief, but the high court dismissed their petition by a vote of 9-5.

“This lays to rest with finality the constitutional question that minimum population requirement of 250,000 for a new district of a city does not apply to an additional district of a province,” Arroyo said.

The Liberal Party brought the Camsur measure through heavy debate during plenary session.

LP president Mar Roxas said “it was the Liberal Party that opposed the creation of an additional district in Camarines Sur to favor somebody who is from Pampanga.”http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=564870&publicationSubCategoryId=63

Does anyone here know what cities/towns comprises the following metro areas? Someone asked me that and I had no clue how to answer it. Any help will be greatly appreciated. :okay:

Metro Angeles
Metro Bacolod
Metro Baguio
Metro Batangas
Metro Cagayan de Oro
Metro Cebu
Metro Dagupan
Metro Davao
Metro Iloilo
Metro Naga
Metro Olongapo


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_of_the_philippines#Metropolitan_areas

^^ Thanks! :okay:

Polls for Bulacan district deferred (http://ph.news.yahoo.com/star/20100420/tph-polls-bulacan-district-deferred-5994a93.html)

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has decided to postpone the election of a representative for the first district of Bulacan after the Supreme Court nullified the law creating a separate legislative district for Malolos City.

“We have to set it aside. We have to set an election at another date. What will be deferred is the election for congressman of the first district of Bulacan but not the whole Bulacan,” Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said in a press briefing.

Last January, the High Court declared that Republic Act 9591 violated the Constitution and an ordinance attached to the Charter because the municipality failed to meet the population requirement of 250,000 for a new legislative district.

Because of this, Malolos City was regrouped with the first district of Bulacan.

“At this point in time, it will be difficult to conduct election for congressman for the first district because you have people running for the first district (and) you have people running for congressman of Malolos City,” Larrazabal said.

The Comelec will conduct a special election for a House seat in the first district of Bulacan by merging the candidates of the two districts. - By Shiela Crisostomo (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=567994&publicationSubCategoryId=67))

Kaylan kaya magiging city ang Sta. Maria? :)

Plan to create Mactan Province gains mayoralty bet’s support
CEBU CITY, April 26 (PNA) - Nacionalista Party (NP) mayoralty aspirant Junard Chan of Lapu-Lapu City is supporting the plan to turn Mactan Island, which hosts an international airport, economic zones and world-class beaches, hotels and resorts, into a separate province.

”The island is rich. We can qualify and we can stand as a separate province,” Chan said.

He said converting the island into a province should be the priority concern of the elected congressman of the lone district Lapu-Lapu City.

The town of Cordova is part of Mactan but belongs to Cebu’s 6th district that includes Mandaue City and Consolacion.

Former Sen. Sonny Osmena suggested during the 2007 election that Mactan Island should become a separate province with Olango island as its municipality.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza, Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Lito Ruiz and former city councilor and lawyer Eugenio Espedido are racing to become Lapu-Lapu’s first congressman.

Chan said the situation of Cordova is a little complicated because the town belongs to the sixth district.

But a solution can be found if the elected congressman works hard in converting the island into a province.

If it becomes a province, he said the island will enjoy an increase in the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) and stronger authority over the Mactan-CebU International Airport Authority and over the Mactan Economic Zones and create more jobs for island residents. (PNA) http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=13&sid=&nid=13&rid=271933

^^ Bad idea. :ohno:

^^^^No more new provinces. Calling all Cebuanos. Please make a stand.

^^ I thought Cebu was one? What is Chan thinking about?:nuts:

^^ He's probably a megalomaniac in the making (if he isn't is already). :|

Not another Sugbuak! :ohno:

Hahaha this is rubbish! As a resident of Lapu-Lapu City I am pretty sure this idea will not materialize. In truth I would even want to amalgamate Metro Cebu. I hope Lapu-Lapu would fuse with Cebu City in the near future. Our local politicos are sickos. More coordinated planning of the whole metro is needed.

These plans are mainly for political ambitions. What the heck do we need more bureaucracy for? And more people to pay to "run" the government.

^^Cebu has survived the previous attempt to break Cebu into four provinces, authored by three expiring congressmen. The attempt was commonly known as Sugbuak (from Sugbo which means Cebu and buak which means to break)

^^is the move popular with the cebuanos?

^^is the move popular with the cebuanos?

I dont think so. Cebuanos are a cohesive bunch.:lol:

Hahaha this is rubbish! As a resident of Lapu-Lapu City I am pretty sure this idea will not materialize. In truth I would even want to amalgamate Metro Cebu. I hope Lapu-Lapu would fuse with Cebu City in the near future. Our local politicos are sickos. More coordinated planning of the whole metro is needed.

These plans are mainly for political ambitions. What the heck do we need more bureaucracy for? And more people to pay to "run" the government.

kon ang ubang dili taga cebu gustong mahimong cebuanos unya sila nga duol ra kaayo gusto pud maglahi. unsa naman unya tawag sa taga lapu2x ug cordova? un-cebuanos or diba mactanians lol!:lol::lol::lol:

Better separate Cebu into two: Metro Cebu and Rural Cebu.

^^ Bad move as well. It's much like saying Rural Cebu can never be urbanized, which is contrary to what things will become. There's no other way for a rural area but to be an urban one.

One Cebu nalang....:D

^^ Bad move as well. It's much like saying Rural Cebu can never be urbanized, which is contrary to what things will become. There's no other way for a rural area but to be an urban one.
I don't know the case with Cebu but it works well with Cavite.

Metro/Urbanized Cavite: Dasmariñas City, Cavite City, Bacoor, Imus, GMA, etc.
Rural/Upland Cavite: Silang, Indang, Amadeo, Magallanes, Alfonso, Maragondon, etc.

In "rural Cavite", agro-industrial and ecotourism projects are prioritized. This is a good thing as Cavite is too congested already (3M population). Urbanization is not everything and doesn't always equate with progress.

Dapat mai-consider din ang Population density sa anumang urbanization.

Sana magkaroon ng kurso sa mga colleges and universities ng tungkol sa BS in Applied Urbanization at dumami ang mga may urbanidad na tao :)

I don't know the case with Cebu but it works well with Cavite.

Metro/Urbanized Cavite: Dasmariñas City, Cavite City, Bacoor, Imus, GMA, etc.
Rural/Upland Cavite: Silang, Indang, Amadeo, Magallanes, Alfonso, Maragondon, etc.

In "rural Cavite", agro-industrial and ecotourism projects are prioritized. This is a good thing as Cavite is too congested already (3M population). Urbanization is not everything and doesn't always equate with progress.

This metro/rural concept is actually being implemented in the Metropolitan Portland, Oregon area. The metro authorities drew a circumferential limit within which urbanization should end. Beyond that limit, it is actually prohibited to build subdivisions and office buildings while farming and other rural aspects outside the boundary is being promoted and respected. There's no reason why this concept should not work in the Philippines especially at these times when zoning laws are not even being implemented properly.

I know that wikipedia is not the most reliable source but here's an excerpt anyway;

Planning and development
Aerial view of central Portland
1966 photo shows sawdust-fired power plant on the edge of Downtown that was removed to make way for dense residential development. High rises to left in background were early projects of the Portland Development Commission.The city consulted with urban planners as far back as 1903. Development of Washington Park and one of the country's finest greenways, the 40 Mile Loop, which interconnects many of the city's parks, began.

Portland is often cited as an example of a city with strong land use planning controls;[9] This is largely the result of statewide land conservation policies adopted in 1973 under Governor Tom McCall, in particular the requirement for an urban growth boundary (UGB) for every city and metropolitan area. The opposite extreme, a city with few or no controls, is typically illustrated by Houston, Texas.[82][83][84][85][86]

Portland's urban growth boundary, adopted in 1979, separates urban areas (where high-density development is encouraged and focused) from traditional farm land (where restrictions on non-agricultural development are very strict).[87] This was atypical in an era when automobile use led many areas to neglect their core cities in favor of development along interstate highways, in suburbs, and satellite cities.As the population has grown, and undeveloped land inside the urban growth boundary has dwindled, there has been pressure to change or relax the rules.[citation needed] The rapid growth of two major employers in Washington County, namely Nike and Intel, contributed to this pressure.[citation needed]

The original state rules included a provision for expanding urban growth boundaries, but critics felt this wasn't being accomplished. In 1995, the State passed a law requiring cities to expand UGBs to provide enough undeveloped land for a 20 year supply of future housing at projected growth levels.[88]

The Portland Development Commission is a semi-public agency that plays a major role in downtown development; it was created by city voters in 1958 to serve as the city's urban renewal agency. It provides housing and economic development programs within the city, and works behind the scenes with major local developers to create large projects.

In the early 1960s, the PDC led the razing of a large Italian-Jewish neighborhood downtown, bounded roughly by the I-405 freeway, the Willamette River, 4th Avenue and Market street.

Mayor Neil Goldschmidt took office in the 1970s as a proponent of bringing housing and the associated vitality back to the downtown area, which was seen as emptying out after 5pm. The effort has had dramatic effects in the 30 years since, with many thousands of new housing units clustered in 3 areas: north of Portland State University (between the I-405 freeway, SW Broadway, and SW Taylor St.); the RiverPlace development along the waterfront under the Marquam (I-5) bridge; and most notably in the Pearl District (between I-405, Burnside St., NW Northrup St., and NW 9th Ave.).

The Urban Greenspaces Institute, housed in Portland State University Geography Department's Center for Mapping Research, promotes better integration of the built and natural environments. The institute works on urban park, trail, and natural areas planning issues, both at the local and regional levels.

According to Grist magazine, Portland is the second most eco-friendly or "green" city in the world trailing only Reykjavík, Iceland.[89] In 2010, Move.com placed Portland in its "top 10 greenest cities" list.[90][91]

Portland's good example is unfortunately difficult to implement in the Philippines because LGUs have been given the power to create and maintain their own zoning and land-use plans, a basic component of the principle of local autonomy enshrined in the 1987 constitution that is supported by the Local Government Code of 1991. As much as the provincial government of Cavite may want to limit all development to just Lower/urban Cavite, the other Upper/rural Cavite municipalities and cities have recourse to circumvent this, especially that bringing in industries and residents means more tax revenue for these rural LGUs. We can already see upper Cavite towns (Indang, Silang) accept residential developments which will inevitably diminish these towns' rural characters. Even Silang is already qualified to become a city. The case of Portland was such that the State of Oregon had exclusive legislative powers to make such a bold move - something which the provincial government of Cavite does not possess. If any legislative body in the Philippines can replicate this bold move, it can only be Congress.

Dapat mai-consider din ang Population density sa anumang urbanization.

Sana magkaroon ng kurso sa mga colleges and universities ng tungkol sa BS in Applied Urbanization at dumami ang mga may urbanidad na tao :)
Unfortunately here in the Philippines, urban planning falls on graduate studies or master's degree. The fundamentals are mostly found in social science courses.

^^ salamat habagatcentral.
Siguro ay dapat ng iangat ang pamantayan ng anumang uri ng pag-aaral sa lipunan.

Mabilis kasi masyado ang urbanization sa Pilipinas kaya bukod sa kulang sa pera ang isang LGU para sa urban planning, hindi rin kayang sabayan ng mga planners ang urbanization. May mga nagsusulputang mga subdivisions lalo na sa mga small cities or premier towns na kulang sa infrastructura katulad ng proper sewage system and water service; narrow streets; utility wires and cables; at kabilang na rin diyan ang kawalang respeto sa zoning laws na kalimitan ay hindi maipatupad ng husto ng mga kinauukulan. Sa madaling salita ay hindi handa ang ating mga lungsod sa mabilis na paglago ng populasyon, commercialization at industrialization kaya nangyayari ay nagmimistulang slums ang mga ito na kung ikukumpara sa mga slum areas ng mga mayayamang bansa ay mas masahol pa ang ating mga lungsod.

Sa tingin ko mas maganda kung lakihan pa natin yung Senado, gawin nating 90, 70 sa kanila ay manggagaling sa senatorial districts na ito:


Ilocos
La Union-Benguet
Pangasinan Occidental
Pangasinan Oriental
Cagayan (+Batanes)
Isabela
"Kanyat Velkyndahsa" (codename, consisting of Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Nueva Ecija, Quirino)
Zambales-Bataan
Tarlac
Pampanga Occidental
Pampanga Oriental
Nueva Ecija del Norte-Aurora
Nueva Ecija del Sur
Bulacan del Norte
Bulacan del Sur
Navotas-Malabon-Valenzuela
Kalookan
Quezon City North (yung second district)
Quezon City South (+San Juan)
Manila
Pasig-Marikina-Mandaluyong
Pasay-Makati
Taguig-Pateros-Muntinlupa
Parañaque-Las Piñas
Cavite del Norte
Cavite del Sur
Batangas Occidental
Batangas Oriental
Laguna Occidental
Laguna Oriental
Rizal del Norte
Rizal del Sur
Quezon del Norte
Quezon del Sur (+Marinduque)
Camarines Occidental (+del Norte)
Camarines Oriental (+Catanduanes)
Albay
Masbate-Sorsogon
Mindoro
Palawan
Aklan-Capiz (+Romblon)
Antique y Iloilo Occidental
Iloilo (+Guimaras)
Negros del Norte
Negros Occidental
Negros Oriental
Cebu del Norte
Cebu del Sur
Metropolitan Cebu (Cebu, Lapu-lapu, Mandaue)
Bohol
Leyte Occidental (+Biliran)
Leyte Oriental (+Southern)
Samar
Zamboanga del Norte
Zamboanga Oriental ("del Sur" and Sibugay)
Zamboanga del Sur (City and Basilan)
Sultanate of Sulu (+Tawi-tawi)
Panguil (Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte)
Sultanate of Lanao del Sur
Misamis Oriental (+Camiguin)
Bukidnon
Agusan
Surigao
Davao City
Davao del Norte (the former undivided province)
Davao del Sur y Oriental
North Cotabato
Sultanate of Maguindanao
Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani
South Cotabato


And the rest would still play the same game: half will be elected nationally, and after three years, the other half is elected nationally.

^^ Question: Why do we need "senatorial" districts if we already have congressional districts. That would be deemed redundant. IMO, your proposal is impractical, especially to the country's coffers. Kahit na siguro gawing parliamentary-federal pa ang setup.

^^ Question: Why do we need "senatorial" districts if we already have congressional districts. That would be deemed redundant. IMO, your proposal is impractical, especially to the country's coffers. Kahit na siguro gawing parliamentary-federal pa ang setup.

Baka sa proposal nya tatanggalin ang congressional districts

^^ But don't you think that the Congress was there to represent the people from the local districts and the Senate itself is the upper house which represent the national interest? Quite redundant though. If the proposed setup would be a Parliament, perhaps there may be some modifications within local administrative jurisdictions, but I guess if we have a senatorial district and a congressional district at the same time, that would be a fiscal and logistics nightmare.

The proposed redistricting of Bacolod City after breaching the 500,000 mark of total population in 2009. each district will be approx 250,000 each.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/abudominic/mapbacolod-1.jpg

I'd prefer a return to a Senate whose members are elected by at-large regional constituencies. 34 senators should be enough.

I'd prefer a return to a Senate whose members are elected by at-large regional constituencies. 34 senators should be enough.

34 is an ideal number and that will be 2 senators per region at-large. Then have the VP sit as senate president to avoid internal politization at the start of each sessions and everytime one group of senators become disgruntled. This would allow more time for legislation and less politics.

Better separate Cebu into two: Metro Cebu and Rural Cebu.

what do you exactly mean to separate?
as what bai @baka said, i agree with him that metro cebu should be one big city. to amalgamate metro cebu. no more other cities within the metro and instead turn them into districts so that there would be one governing body for the entire metropolitan area.

so that Cebu City would now include the cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay. These former cities could either become lone congressional districts or may likewise attached to current congressional districts in Cebu City (2 districts and a proposed 3rd district). the rest of those towns currently under 'Metro Cebu' could either attached themselves to the proposed amalgamation or remain with the province.

34 is an ideal number and that will be 2 senators per region at-large. Then have the VP sit as senate president to avoid internal politization at the start of each sessions and everytime one group of senators become disgruntled. This would allow more time for legislation and less politics.

I disagree, considering the varying populations of each province. At isa pa, the 24-member Senate was formulated at a time when the population is small. I think 24 is too small for a 94 million people country.

what do you exactly mean to separate?
as what bai @baka said, i agree with him that metro cebu should be one big city. to amalgamate metro cebu. no more other cities within the metro and instead turn them into districts so that there would be one governing body for the entire metropolitan area.

so that Cebu City would now include the cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay. These former cities could either become lone congressional districts or may likewise attached to current congressional districts in Cebu City (2 districts and a proposed 3rd district). the rest of those towns currently under 'Metro Cebu' could either attached themselves to the proposed amalgamation or remain with the province.

Pwede rin..... kaso naisip ko ring i-divide yung Davao City into a rural municipality (the interior), Toril and the Davao City proper (Agdao, Buhangin, Bunawan, Poblacion, Talomo), for easier administration.

I disagree, considering the varying populations of each province. At isa pa, the 24-member Senate was formulated at a time when the population is small. I think 24 is too small for a 94 million people country.

^^
senators doesn't necessarily follow the population requirement. even in the US, senators represent the state and not by population. aside from that, senators already represent the remaining population of their individual states not represented by congressional representatives.

so that, ideally the philippines should not anymore elect national senators at large but by each region should already elect 2 or 3 senators to represent in the senate. that would only make the ballots longer and so does with party list groups :D

^^ There is a problem in the US Senate. How could California (some 33 million people) could have the same number of senators as Wyoming (half a million people)? It's inequality isn't it? So I disagree with the proposal that each current region (to be distinguished from Isagani's regions, which I support) would have 2 senators each. In fact, there is a proposal to reform the states into equipopulous states to prevent bias from states with smaller populations. (http://fakeisthenewreal.org/reform/)

^^
Here's a bit of history of the US Const'l Convention.
source: http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Constitution_Senate.htm#1
Two Senators Per State

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State. [U.S. Constitution, Article I, section 3, clause 1]

During the summer of 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia established equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives. Called the “Great Compromise” or the “Connecticut Compromise,” this unique plan for congressional representation resolved the most controversial aspect of the drafting of the Constitution.
In the weeks before the Constitution’s framers agreed to the compromise, the delegates from the states with large populations argued that each state’s representation in the Senate should correspond to the size of the state. Large-state delegates promoted James Madison’s Virginia Plan, the document that was the basis for several of the clauses in the Constitution. Under this plan, the Senate and the House would base their membership on the same proportional “right of suffrage.” That is, the number of senators in each state would be determined by its population of free citizens and slaves. Large states, then, stood to gain the most seats in the Senate. As justification for this advantage, delegates noted that their states contributed more of the nation’s financial and defensive resources than small states, and therefore, required a greater say in government.

Small-state delegates hoped to protect states’ rights within a confederate system of government. Fearing the effects of majority rule, they demanded equal representation in Congress, as was practiced under the Articles of Confederation and assumed in William Paterson’s New Jersey Plan. In fact, some framers threatened to withdraw from the convention if a proportional representation measure passed.

Other delegates sought a compromise between large-state and small-state interests. As early as 1776, Connecticut’s Roger Sherman had suggested that Congress represent the people as well as the states. During the 1787 convention, Sherman proposed that House representation be based on the population, while in the Senate, the states would be equally represented. Benjamin Franklin agreed that each state should have an equal vote in the Senate except in matters concerning money. The convention’s grand committee reported his motion, with some modifications, to the delegates in early July. Madison led the debates against Franklin’s measure, believing it an injustice to the majority of Americans, while some small-state delegates were reluctant even to support proportional representation in the House. On July 16, delegates narrowly adopted the mixed representation plan giving states equal votes in the Senate within a federal system of government.

Once delegates established equal representation in the Senate, they needed to determine how many senators would represent each state. State constitutions offered some guidance. Several states designated one senator per county or district, while in Delaware there were three senators for each of the three counties. Convention delegates did not refer to the state precedents in debate, however. Instead, they seemed to take a common-sense approach in deciding the number of senators.

According to constitutional commentator Joseph Story (1779-1845), few, if any, delegates considered one senator per state sufficient representation. Lone senators might leave their state unrepresented in times of illness or absence, and would have no colleague to consult with on state issues. Additional senators, moreover, would increase the size of the Senate, making it a more knowledgeable body, and better able to counter the influence of the House. On the other hand, a very large Senate would soon lose its distinctive membership and purpose, and actually decrease its ability to check the lower house or to allow senators to take personal responsibility for their actions.

Given these considerations, delegates had a limited choice regarding the number of senators. During the convention, they briefly discussed the advantages of two seats versus three. Gouverneur Morris stated that three senators per state were necessary to form an acceptable quorum, while other delegates thought a third senator would be too costly. On July 23, delegates filled in the blank in the proposal offered by Morris and Rufus King: “That the representation in the second branch consist of _____ members from each State, who shall vote per capita.” Only Pennsylvania voted in favor of three senators. When the question turned to two, Maryland alone voted against the measure, not because of the number, but because Martin disagreed with per capita voting, which gave each senator, rather than each state, one vote.

In its final form, the clause in the Constitution is deceptively simple. “The Senate shall be composed of two senators from each state” appears to be a single provision, the designated number of senators per state. Delegates agreed to this number, however, only after they had considered a larger matter: legislative representation. While representation proved to be the most controversial issue in the convention, delegates determined the number of senators quickly and with little dispute.

There is a problem in the US Senate. How could California (some 33 million people) could have the same number of senators as Wyoming (half a million people)? It's inequality isn't it? So I disagree with the proposal that each current region (to be distinguished from Isagani's regions, which I support) would have 2 senators each. In fact, there is a proposal to reform the states into equipopulous states to prevent bias from states with smaller populations. (http://fakeisthenewreal.org/reform/)

The number of United States senators stands at an even 100, each state is represented by 2 senators, that is constant and unchanging. On the other hand, the United States House of Representatives changes its demographic to mirror the changing demographic of the states, some states will gain a congressman/woman and some states will lose. But the number of representatives in the House of Representatives is capped at 435. And the basis for states gaining/losing a representative is determined by the census taken every 10 years, and this latest census taken this year (2010) will determine the make-up of the House of Representatives in the years to come, until the next census in 2020, to see if things stays the same, or if there is a need for reshuffling representation in Congress.

The number of United States senators stands at an even 100, each state is represented by 2 senators, that is constant and unchanging. On the other hand, the United States House of Representatives changes its demographic to mirror the changing demographic of the states, some states will gain a congressman/woman and some states will lose. But the number of representatives in the House of Representatives is capped at 435. And the basis for states gaining/losing a representative is determined by the census taken every 10 years, and this latest census taken this year (2010) will determine the make-up of the House of Representatives in the years to come, until the next census in 2020, to see if things stays the same, or if there is a need for reshuffling representation in Congress.


Questions: Have we figured out why the heck our own House of Representatives does not have its congressional districts redrawn wholesale after each census? And should Comelec be given such a power (redrawing the districts)?

SC nullifies law making Dinagat Island a province


By Dona Pazzibugan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:16:00 05/23/2010

Filed Under: Judiciary (system of justice), Laws, Local authorities


MANILA, Philippines -- The Supreme Court affirmed its decision nullifying a law that created the province of Dinagat Island in Mindanao and voiding the election of provincial officials during the 2007 polls.

In a May 17 full court decision, the high tribunal through Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta affirmed as unconstitutional Republic Act No. 9355, which created the Province of Dinagat Island.

Dinagat Island is located northeast of Mindanao and is on the south side of Leyte Gulf. Until its creation as a province in December 2006, it was part of the province of Surigao del Norte.

The court denied the motions for reconsideration filed separately by the Office of the Solicitor General and Dinagat Island Governor Geraldine Ecleo Villaroman as it upheld its original ruling dated Feb. 10, 2010.

The Supreme Court maintained that Dinagat Island failed to comply with the requirements of population and land area under the Local Government Code for it to become a separate province.

It said that Dinagat Island did not meet the land area requirement of at least 2,000 square kilometers since RA 9355 itself stated that the province only contained “an approximate land area of 802.12 sq. km.”

The province also did not meet the population requirement of not less than 250,000 inhabitants as certified by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

The high court said a census conducted by the NSO showed that Dinagat Island only had a population of 106,951 as of May 2000.

“In fine, RA 9355 failed to comply with either the territorial or the population requirement for the creation of the Province of Dinagat Island,” the Supreme Court declared.

“The Constitution clearly mandates that the creation of local government units must follow the criteria established in the Local Government Code. Any derogation of or deviation from the criteria prescribed in the Local Government Code violates Section 10 Article X of the Constitution,” it went on.

Three residents of Surigao Del Norte filed a taxpayers’ suit questioning the constitutionality and legality of the creation of a separate Dinagat Island province, claiming this deprived the people of Surigao del Norte a large chunk of its territory, internal revenue allocation and rich resources from the area.

The Dinagat provincial government hopes the SC would reconsider its ruling.

Dinagat Island Vice Gov. Elvis de la Merced said a second motion for reconsideration had been filed before the SC.

With a report from Franklin Caliguid, Inquirer Mindanao

Questions: Have we figured out why the heck our own House of Representatives does not have its congressional districts redrawn wholesale after each census? And should Comelec be given such a power (redrawing the districts)?

Great questions. Here are my answers:

1. Wholesale redistricting is difficult to pass through Congress unless a majority of the representatives and senators agree to the configuration of every single district. My redistricting map, for example, will be shot down by representatives who will contend that they are "impractical," which is the blanket excuse for refusing to cooperate because they have something to lose under the proposed redistricting. Redistricting often involves the transfer or combination of areas that can put political futures in jeopardy in the following ways:
a) The bailiwick ('baluarte') of the political dynasty can become divided or be redistributed in the process of redistricting, diminishing the family's chances of winning the seat.
b) The bailiwicks of two or more powerful clans can become combined in redistricting, resulting in a more difficult (plus expensive and violent) election for all clans involved, unless they come up with a scheme, which can be in the form of power sharing (Clan 1 runs for Congress, Clan 2 runs for governor, Clan 3 runs for mayor, etc.) or as some have done, relocate their "residence" (meaning, a clan purchases a house outside the contentious district, and runs in the adjacent district instead).
c) Redistricting the entire Philippines can potentially cause more pro-poor/less trapo politicians to become elected to Congress, as areas dominated by the urban poor and the middle class (northern Caloocan, Quezon City, surburban Mega Manila, rural Visayas and Mindanao) will have their own seats in Congress. Trapos will therefore face more formidable challenges to their protection and advancement of their families' economic interests than ever before.
These are just some of the reasons why Congress only tends to pass piecemeal redistricting legislation - most representatives and senators are afraid to 'offend' others by meddling with the current political bailiwicks. Sadly, just like the case in the United States, redistricting is very much a matter decided upon by those in power - citizen input and equality take a backseat to political considerations.

2. COMELEC thought in 1995 that it had the power to redistrict Leyte after Biliran became a separate province, when it rearranged the district configuration in the province to remedy the disproportionately low population in the 3rd district. Imelda Marcos, running in the 1st district, cried foul (http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1370&dat=19940317&id=vmUVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ygoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6420,2382667) and took the case to the Supreme Court where it was decided that the COMELEC did not have the power to do such a move (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1995/mar1995/gr_118702_1995.html). While COMELEC was well-intentioned in ordering the reconfiguration of districts in the province, I do agree with the Supreme Court that such lies outside the Commission's powers given the current laws. The only entity that can create and reconfigure districts, Congress, still hasn't acted on the issue after 15 years though - so it's not like Congress got things done. While I would very much prefer for COMELEC, or another commission/agency to do the post-census redistricting (just like in Canada or Australia), I think that many in Congress would oppose such a move because of the reasons mentioned in my answer for #1. As well, COMELEC isn't too accurate in allocating Sangguniang Panlalawigan seats in 7 provinces. For the 2010 elections, here are some discrepancies between the proper and the actual SP seats in lone-district provinces:

PROVINCE - SP district (percentage of provincial population): proper number of SP members, current number: over-/under-representation

ABRA
- 1st SP district (43%): 3 members out of 8, current: 4
- 2nd SP district (57%): 5 members out of 8, current: 4
AURORA
- 1st SP district (62%): 5 members out of 8, current: 4
- 2nd SP district (38%): 3 members out of 8, current: 4
BENGUET
- 1st SP district (34%): 3 members out of 10, current: 4
- 2nd SP district (66%): 7 members out of 10, current: 6
CAMIGUIN
- 1st SP district (60%): 4 members out of 6, current: 3
- 2nd SP district (40%): 2 members out of 6, current: 3
EASTERN SAMAR
- 1st SP district (57%): 6 members out of 10, current: 5
- 2nd SP district (43%): 4 members out of 10, current: 5
GUIMARAS
- 1st SP district (44%): 3 members out of 8, current: 4
- 2nd SP district (56%): 5 members out of 8, current: 4
SARANGANI
- 1st SP district (29%): 3 members out of 10, current: 4
- 2nd SP district (71%): 7 members out of 10, current: 6

c) Redistricting the entire Philippines can potentially cause more pro-poor/less trapo politicians to become elected to Congress, as areas dominated by the urban poor and the middle class (northern Caloocan, Quezon City, surburban Mega Manila, rural Visayas and Mindanao) will have their own seats in Congress. Trapos will therefore face more formidable challenges to their protection and advancement of their families' economic interests than ever before.


SO IT SHOULD BE.

I was thinking, what if Metro Manila cities would be dissolved and form into one Manila Metropolitan Ward?

Nagre-district ang Cavite (2007 population: 2,856,765), siguro dapat mag-redistrict na din ang Bulacan (2007 population: 2,826,926) :) :) :) para madagdagan naman ang representation ng Bulacan sa kongreso.

Nagre-district ang Cavite (2007 population: 2,856,765), siguro dapat mag-redistrict na din ang Bulacan (2007 population: 2,826,926) :) :) :) para madagdagan naman ang representation ng Bulacan sa kongreso.

tamaaa!! :D

Nagre-district ang Cavite (2007 population: 2,856,765), siguro dapat mag-redistrict na din ang Bulacan (2007 population: 2,826,926) :) :) :) para madagdagan naman ang representation ng Bulacan sa kongreso.

Maybe it would be right if we divide Bulacan into 6 districts:

-San Jose del Monte
1. San Miguel, San Rafael, San Ildefonso, Angat, Norzagaray, DRT
2. Malolos City, Calumpit, Hagonoy, Paombong
3. Baliuag, Pulilan, Plaridel, Bustos, Guiguinto
4. Sta. Maria, Pandi, Balagtas, Bocaue
5. Bulacan, Obando, Marilao, Meycauayan



Off-topic: What is better for 6 municipalities west of Naga (Bombon, Magarao, Canaman, Camaligan, Gainza, Milaor):
1. Merge with Naga
2. Merge into a new city called Bicol
3. Keep them as they are

Maybe it would be right if we divide Bulacan into 6 districts:

-San Jose del Monte
1. San Miguel, San Rafael, San Ildefonso, Angat, Norzagaray, DRT
2. Malolos City, Calumpit, Hagonoy, Paombong
3. Baliuag, Pulilan, Plaridel, Bustos, Guiguinto
4. Sta. Maria, Pandi, Balagtas, Bocaue
5. Bulacan, Obando, Marilao, Meycauayan



Off-topic: What is better for 6 municipalities west of Naga (Bombon, Magarao, Canaman, Camaligan, Gainza, Milaor):
1. Merge with Naga
2. Merge into a new city called Bicol
3. Keep them as they are
okay lang ung pagkakahati hati..pwede na. :D :D :D

Maybe it would be right if we divide Bulacan into 6 districts:

-San Jose del Monte
1. San Miguel, San Rafael, San Ildefonso, Angat, Norzagaray, DRT
2. Malolos City, Calumpit, Hagonoy, Paombong
3. Baliuag, Pulilan, Plaridel, Bustos, Guiguinto
4. Sta. Maria, Pandi, Balagtas, Bocaue
5. Bulacan, Obando, Marilao, Meycauayan



Off-topic: What is better for 6 municipalities west of Naga (Bombon, Magarao, Canaman, Camaligan, Gainza, Milaor):
1. Merge with Naga
2. Merge into a new city called Bicol
3. Keep them as they are

Pwede din naman yung division mo kaso, 1 representative lang yung madadagdag. Kung pagbabasehan ang 2007 population, di bababa sa 11 congressional seats dapat yan. I guess di na masama ang 8. Besides Cavite got seven already. Plus we're using 2007 population data pa, so three years after malamang malaki na ang nadagdag sa mga numerong yan.

Ito naman ang suggestion ko:

First: Calumpit, Hagonoy, Paombong, Pulilan (Population: 362,864)
Second: Malolos City, Guiguinto (Population: 312,294)
Third: Baliuag, Bustos, Plaridel, San Rafel (Population: 382,764)
Fourth: Balagtas, Bocaue, Angat, Pandi (Population: 282,255)
Fifth: San Miguel, San Ildefonso, DRT, Norzagaray (356,833)
Sixth: Marilao, Sta. Maria (Population: 356,833)
Seventh: Obando, Bulakan, Meycauayan City (Population: 325,116)
Eighth: City of San Jose Del Monte (Population: 439,090)

:) :) :)

Pwede din naman yung division mo kaso, 1 representative lang yung madadagdag. Kung pagbabasehan ang 2007 population, di bababa sa 11 congressional seats dapat yan. I guess di na masama ang 8. Besides Cavite got seven already. Plus we're using 2007 population data pa, so three years after malamang malaki na ang nadagdag sa mga numerong yan.

Ito naman ang suggestion ko:

First: Calumpit, Hagonoy, Paombong, Pulilan (Population: 362,864)
Second: Malolos City, Guiguinto (Population: 312,294)
Third: Baliuag, Bustos, Plaridel, San Rafel (Population: 382,764)
Fourth: Balagtas, Bocaue, Angat, Pandi (Population: 282,255)
Fifth: San Miguel, San Ildefonso, DRT, Norzagaray (356,833)
Sixth: Marilao, Sta. Maria (Population: 356,833)
Seventh: Obando, Bulakan, Meycauayan City (Population: 325,116)
Eighth: City of San Jose Del Monte (Population: 439,090)

:) :) :)

ang liit naman ng population ng 4th district. :D :D :D

ang liit naman ng population ng 4th district. :D :D :D

Under the 1987 Constitution, each Legislative District shall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory. It must also have a population of at least two hundred fifty thousand (250,000).^^

another example that has a less representative to the congress with a bigger population is Zamboanga City (INDEPENDENT and HIGHLY URBANIZED CITY); based from 2007 Census the City of Zamboanga has more than 774,407 population and it has only 2 representative in the congress...what more this year...:ohno::ohno:

^^ which makes my proposed legislative districts valid. :D Sana nga i-scrap nalang ang mga party-list groups sa congress eh, tapos dagdagan nalang ang mga legislative districts sa mga qualified na province/city sa Pilipinas.

^^ which makes my proposed legislative districts valid. :D Sana nga i-scrap nalang ang mga party-list groups sa congress eh, tapos dagdagan nalang ang mga legislative districts sa mga qualified na province/city sa Pilipinas.

Under the 1987 Constitution, each Legislative District shall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory. It must also have a population of at least two hundred fifty thousand (250,000).^^

another example that has a less representative to the congress with a bigger population is Zamboanga City (INDEPENDENT and HIGHLY URBANIZED CITY); based from 2007 Census the City of Zamboanga has more than 774,407 population and it has only 2 representative in the congress...what more this year...:ohno::ohno:


oww..thanks for the info..i am not aware of that.. :D :D :D

Under the 1987 Constitution, each Legislative District shall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory. It must also have a population of at least two hundred fifty thousand (250,000).^^

another example that has a less representative to the congress with a bigger population is Zamboanga City (INDEPENDENT and HIGHLY URBANIZED CITY); based from 2007 Census the City of Zamboanga has more than 774,407 population and it has only 2 representative in the congress...what more this year...:ohno::ohno:

Isama mo rin ang Quezon City, with 2.6million population, tapos 4 districts lang sila.:ohno:

^^ which makes my proposed legislative districts valid. :D Sana nga i-scrap nalang ang mga party-list groups sa congress eh, tapos dagdagan nalang ang mga legislative districts sa mga qualified na province/city sa Pilipinas.

Your proposed districts could be valid, but Cavite has a population greater than Bulacan, thus ideally the latter would have not more than seven.


Anyway, remember my hanging question on those Metro Naga municipalities!

^^ wag nating tanggalin ang Party List sa congress, ang tamang gawin ng susunod na administration ay mag-improve sa qualifications ng mga partylist groups.. kasi nagiging back entrance ito sa mga sakim na tao sa gobyerno..

^^ ito suggestion ko lng..

ibahin kaya natin ang congress... ito naisip ko ah..
walang District sa congresso, ibig sabihin ang magiging representative ng isang lalawigan a congresso ay ISA...

ang congressman na ang magiging pinuno ng Sangguniang Panglalawigan.. dun papasok ang mga Board Members.. hindi na Board Member ang tawag sa kanila.. District Leader na.. para may magawa namang matino ang mga Board Member kasi wala kami maxiadong naririg na nagawa ang mga board members sa lalawigan eh..

ganito... kunyari may proposal ang isang Mayor sa isang Barangay.. isang road project..
eto ang process papuntang congress..

Mayor ----> District Leader / Board Member.. pagna-approve ng buong Sangguniang Lalawigan at ng Congressman ang congressman na ang magbibigay ng proposal sa Congress...

para mabawasan ang mga bilang ng congressman.. pagbawas.. bawas din ang binibigay na sweldo.. mas maraming magagawa para sa bansa..



---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2ND PROPOSAL:
Tatanggalin na ang Congress.. Lahat mapapunta sa Senate.. 1 Senator Per Province.. 2 Per Metropolitan Area (example: Metro Cebu, Metro Manila.. etc.etc..)

ung sa proposal sa taas na 2 per Metropolitan Area.. gagawa ng isang committee para ma audit ang budget at population ng mga lugar sa Pilipinas para makabuo ng mga Metropolitan Areas..

in province naman
Governor - 1 (wala nang Vice Governor)
[B]District Leader - 1 (per province, wala nang Board Member)
Representative -1 (per town/city) magiging representative sa Sangguniang Lalawigan
Mayor - 1 (wala nang Vice Mayor)
Councilor - 6 (sa lalawigan lang ito ah)

ibig sabihin ang bawat province ay magkakaroon ng "mini-congress" <-- pangit word no?...


---- UNG NASA taas ay sa mga lalawigan.. hindi po kasama ang METROPOLITAN AREA, SA METROPOLITAN AREA NAMAN.. pagiisipan ko muna kung paano ung proposal.. wala na kasing time eh----

^^ wag nating tanggalin ang Party List sa congress, ang tamang gawin ng susunod na administration ay mag-improve sa qualifications ng mga partylist groups.. kasi nagiging back entrance ito sa mga sakim na tao sa gobyerno..

^^ ito suggestion ko lng..

ibahin kaya natin ang congress... ito naisip ko ah..
walang District sa congresso, ibig sabihin ang magiging representative ng isang lalawigan a congresso ay ISA...

ang congressman na ang magiging pinuno ng Sangguniang Panglalawigan.. dun papasok ang mga Board Members.. hindi na Board Member ang tawag sa kanila.. District Leader na.. para may magawa namang matino ang mga Board Member kasi wala kami maxiadong naririg na nagawa ang mga board members sa lalawigan eh..

ganito... kunyari may proposal ang isang Mayor sa isang Barangay.. isang road project..
eto ang process papuntang congress..

Mayor ----> District Leader / Board Member.. pagna-approve ng buong Sangguniang Lalawigan at ng Congressman ang congressman na ang magbibigay ng proposal sa Congress...

para mabawasan ang mga bilang ng congressman.. pagbawas.. bawas din ang binibigay na sweldo.. mas maraming magagawa para sa bansa..



---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2ND PROPOSAL:
Tatanggalin na ang Congress.. Lahat mapapunta sa Senate.. 1 Senator Per Province.. 2 Per Metropolitan Area (example: Metro Cebu, Metro Manila.. etc.etc..)

ung sa proposal sa taas na 2 per Metropolitan Area.. gagawa ng isang committee para ma audit ang budget at population ng mga lugar sa Pilipinas para makabuo ng mga Metropolitan Areas..

in province naman
Governor - 1 (wala nang Vice Governor)
[B]District Leader - 1 (per province, wala nang Board Member)
Representative -1 (per town/city) magiging representative sa Sangguniang Lalawigan
Mayor - 1 (wala nang Vice Mayor)
Councilor - 6 (sa lalawigan lang ito ah)

ibig sabihin ang bawat province ay magkakaroon ng "mini-congress" <-- pangit word no?...


---- UNG NASA taas ay sa mga lalawigan.. hindi po kasama ang METROPOLITAN AREA, SA METROPOLITAN AREA NAMAN.. pagiisipan ko muna kung paano ung proposal.. wala na kasing time eh----

Based on your proposal bale yung pinaka-representative sa Congress ay 2 ang trabaho; head of SP and at the same time congressman or whatever you wanna call him on your new system. Hindi kaya matrabaho ito para sa kanya dahil maglalagari siya between twoo different chambers during sessions? I like the cost-cutting idea but having two or more positions for one single representative is too much work. My proposal is to retain the basic structure, automatic redrawing of districts every ten years based on the latest census, reduce the number of provinces to the original number of regions, only one chamber in congress to be called Pambansang Kapulungan or National Assembly and more autonomy to local government units.

@NicknameForLife

Naiintindihan ko kung bakit sa mga proposals dito sa SSC ay laging may pagbabawas ng mga opisyal sa gobyerno. May mga problema nga lang na hindi masosolusyunan ng basta-bastang pagbabawas.

Una na rito ang pagkakahalo ng mga responsibilidad ng mga opisyal. Dapat ay mayroong mga tiyak na opisyal para sa pamahalaang panlalawigan, pambayan/panlungsod at pambansa - at dapat na tunay na nauunawaan din ng mga tao kung anu-ano ang kakayanan at responsibilidad ng bawat antas ng pamahalaan. Hindi makakatulong kung lalo lang maguguluhan ang mga tao pati na rin ang mga opisyal na maglilingkod sa kanila kung pagsasama-samahin na lang bigla ang mga responsibilidad at kapangyarihan ng mga puwesto sa gobyerno.

Pangalawa, lubhang hindi makatarungan na bawat isang probinsya ay kakatawanin lang ng iisang konggresista. Paano na kung may isang libong bagay na kailangang pagtuunan ng pansin sa Lalawigan ng Cebu at iisa lang ang kinatawang dapat na maghahain ng mga panukalang batas upang matugunan ang lahat ng pangangailangan ng mga taga-Cebu? Kumpara sa kinatawan ng Camiguin, ang magiging nag-iisang kinatawan ng Cebu ay tunay na magkakaroon ng higit na maraming responsibilidad.

Huli, ang basta-bastang pagbabawas ng mga opisyal ay hindi epektibong solusyon. Kung tutuusin, ang mga pinakamakapangyarihan ay hindi laging nagsisilbi sa bayan nang matuwid at tapat, kaya hindi malayong mangyari na ang mga mauupo sa iilang puwesto na matitira ay ang mga trapo na mismong 'di nararapat na maluklok, dahil sila ang may pera at kakayanang maimpluwensiyahan ang pagboto ng mga nakararami. Kung magbabawas man ng mga opisyal, dapat ay tingnan natin kung anong mga posisyon ang tunay na kaunti lang ang naitutulong sa atin, sa pamamagitan ng tunay na pag-unawa sa sistema ng gobyerno natin.

I suggest some guys here read the Philippine Local Government Code of 1991 (http://www.chanrobles.com/localgov.htm) to understand more on these matters, study it and try to put a proposal of it. Also, the basic know-how on our 1987 Constitution would be a great benefit in understanding creation and dissolution of local government units here in the Philippines. Here's the link below:

http://www.chanrobles.com/localgov.htm

^^ ok... hehe sabi ko na nga ba eh.. parang mali naisip ko =(
@29goldstars.. tama.. gumawa na lang tayo ng Unicameral Legislature.. bale isang chamber lang..

@isagani.. tama ung nakalagay sa baba ng pangalan mo.. "Critical Thinker" ka nga.. pero may point ka rin..

Wala lang...

If we are to create or expand Metropolitan Manila and eat up several towns from Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan, we may end up with this population:

18,561,487

The area would be:
3012.50 km2

Towns included are
Cavite


Bacoor
Imus
Dasmariñas City
Kawit
Cavite City
Noveleta
Tanza
General Trias

Laguna


San Pedro
Biñan City
Santa Rosa City
Cabuyao
Calamba City
Los Baños

Rizal


Rodriguez (Montalban)
San Mateo
Antipolo City
Cainta
Taytay
Angono
Binangonan
Cardona
Teresa
Morong

Bulacan


Meycauayan
Marilao
Bocaue
Obando
Bulacan
Balagtas
Guiguinto
Malolos City
San Jose del Monte City
Santa Maria

Please check if there are some miscalculations.

Wala lang...

If we are to create or expand Metropolitan Manila and eat up several towns from Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan, we may end up with this population:

18,561,487

The area would be:
3012.50 km2

Towns included are
Cavite


Bacoor
Imus
Dasmariñas City
Kawit
Cavite City
Noveleta
Tanza
General Trias

Laguna


San Pedro
Biñan City
Santa Rosa City
Cabuyao
Calamba City
Los Baños

Rizal


Rodriguez (Montalban)
San Mateo
Antipolo City
Cainta
Taytay
Angono
Binangonan
Cardona
Teresa
Morong

Bulacan


Meycauayan
Marilao
Bocaue
Obando
Bulacan
Balagtas
Guiguinto
Malolos City
San Jose del Monte City
Santa Maria

Please check if there are some miscalculations.

tingnan mo tong mapa na to..hehe, parang ganyan ba??? :D :D :D :D nkita ko lang yan and i wonder what is that. :D :D :D :D

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/manilamap4ja.gif

^^ I was surprised that Metro Manila as a whole is denser than Distrito Federal of Mexico City itself...

^^ I was surprised that Metro Manila as a whole is denser than Distrito Federal of Mexico City itself...

pano pong denser? :D :D :D

mas matao?:D :D :D^^

Wala lang...

If we are to create or expand Metropolitan Manila and eat up several towns from Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan, we may end up with this population:

18,561,487

The area would be:
3012.50 km2

Towns included are
Cavite


Bacoor
Imus
Dasmariñas City
Kawit
Cavite City
Noveleta
Tanza
General Trias

Laguna


San Pedro
Biñan City
Santa Rosa City
Cabuyao
Calamba City
Los Baños

Rizal


Rodriguez (Montalban)
San Mateo
Antipolo City
Cainta
Taytay
Angono
Binangonan
Cardona
Teresa
Morong

Bulacan


Meycauayan
Marilao
Bocaue
Obando
Bulacan
Balagtas
Guiguinto
Malolos City
San Jose del Monte City
Santa Maria

Please check if there are some miscalculations.

Oh well, if that's the case then it's better to just leave Metro Manila as it is. This will avoid further conflict between MM and the neighboring provinces. There's no need to create a mega metropolis anyway with the way MMDA is handling the affairs. All we need is a better mass transport system and better coordination among neighboring towns and cities in so far as implementing basic services. I think we have enough laws but the question is, "are they being implemented properly?":)

Oh well, if that's the case then it's better to just leave Metro Manila as it is. This will avoid further conflict between MM and the neighboring provinces. There's no need to create a mega metropolis anyway with the way MMDA is handling the affairs. All we need is a better mass transport system and better coordination among neighboring towns and cities in so far as implementing basic services. I think we have enough laws but the question is, "are they being implemented properly?":)

owyeah..tama tama.ang gaganda ng batas natin pero ang mga nagpapatupad ang medyo hindi ginagampanan ang trabaho.hindi naman lahat pero karamihan siguro?o mangilan ngilan lang.hehehe :D :D :D

...And btw, wouldn't it be better just to make Metro Manila a regular province to be called Namumukod Lalawigan ng Maynila or Special Province of Manila instead of the present structure where there is really no governing authority among its component cities? Yeah, if we are to create another province, I think Metro Manila would be a good candidate.

...And btw, wouldn't it be better just to make Metro Manila a regular province to be called Namumukod Lalawigan ng Maynila or Special Province of Manila instead of the present structure where there is really no governing authority among its component cities? Yeah, if we are to create another province, I think Metro Manila would be a good candidate.

napakamakapangyarihan ng magiging gobernador niyan ahh.. haha :D :D :D :D

pano pong denser? :D :D :D

mas matao?:D :D :D^^
Denser. More people within a specific area. :)

Oh well, if that's the case then it's better to just leave Metro Manila as it is. This will avoid further conflict between MM and the neighboring provinces. There's no need to create a mega metropolis anyway with the way MMDA is handling the affairs. All we need is a better mass transport system and better coordination among neighboring towns and cities in so far as implementing basic services. I think we have enough laws but the question is, "are they being implemented properly?":)

Since it is already a mega-urban conglomerate in its own right. The conurbation of Manila is not concentrated anymore in the current boundaries of NCR. I was thinking if Manila would be governed like a province. MMDA seemed to lack the "police power" as compared to the governors of the provinces...How about reorganising the government organisation in Metro Manila?

The difficulty of having so many independent local governments is that the whole metropolitan area looks like halo-halong lamang loob. Mixed up and disorganised, and sometimes run into "turf" politics.
...And btw, wouldn't it be better just to make Metro Manila a regular province to be called Namumukod Lalawigan ng Maynila or Special Province of Manila instead of the present structure where there is really no governing authority among its component cities? Yeah, if we are to create another province, I think Metro Manila would be a good candidate.

@ NicknameForLife (May 30th, 2010, 07:00 PM)

@ 29goldstars (May 30th, 2010, 11:18 PM)

@ isagani (May 31st, 2010, 06:55 AM)

alam nyo mga katoto, may alam ako na BARRIO na nag-exist nuong nakaraang kampanya ng eleksyon.
Ibig sabihin lumalabas lang ito kapag tawag ng pangangailangan sa panahon na iboboto na ang kandidato.

halimbawa ganito, ang isang tao na nangangampanya para sa isang kandidato na may hawak na megaphone
"magandang umaga/tangahali/hapon mga taga-BARRIO(blank), naririto si (kandidato)"



Nagtataka talaga ako at hindi naman talaga nag-e-exist yung baranggay na yun pero binabanggit lang ito kapag(o kilala) kapag panahon ng/ o kampanya sa eleksyon.

magsimula kaya tayo sa mga streets(non-existing/existing), alleys, eskinita, pasilyo, daanang shorkat, private roads na ginawang daan at ibapa.

Sana magkaroon ng mga SITIO o iparehas sa mga villages o subdivision ng PHASE (to the nth) WHERE n: is the number of maximum household na pabigat pa rin sa magulang :)

Kaya ako pabor talaga sa pagkakaroon ng library sa bawat barangay para imbes na kung anu ano ang nilalarong 'games' ay nag-aaral at nagbabasa na lang sa silid aklatan. ;)

on Namumukod Lalawigan

Kung pagbabasehan natin ang wages o pa-sweldo, syempre talaga mas mataas ang rate ng sa Metro Manila. Kaya nga dito nagsisiluwasan ang mga nasa provincia.
Pwede rin tawagin na Las civilized provincias del Maynilad,

o kaya ay may TRANS

i.e., TRANSMANILA, transtondo, translipunan, transBAYAN

Kung ang Quezon City merong NEW MANILA, pwede rin NEW PAYATAS(pero unfair ito), o kaya ay NEW BEL-AIR (wow!).

Kailangan talaga na magkaroon ng re-districting na hindi magkakaroon ng bagong RESIDENT COMMISIONER na gaya nuong panahon ng Amerikano.

Yung sa turf politics, may natutunan na tayo dyan tulad ng Marikina-ite o Makati-ized places in Metro Manila.(Bayani Fernando vs Jejomar Binay)
Pero parang mas maganda yata ang record na Tiangco-ized sa hilagang bahagi ng Metro.

and please, NO BIMPO ...kung pwede lang

^^ I was surprised that Metro Manila as a whole is denser than Distrito Federal of Mexico City itself...

i think it's even bigger than any metropolitan area in the american continent

i think it's even bigger than any metropolitan area in the american continent
I think El DF alone itself is about the size of Metro Manila plus the towns I've mentioned. El DF itself (1k sq2) has only around 8 million while Metro Manila's 600 km2 has around 11 million.

The greater metropolitan area of Mexico City encompasses el DF, some parts of the states of Hidalgo and Mexico..that would be gobbling up some parts of Central Luzon and CALABARZON Provinces already.

i think it's even bigger than any metropolitan area in the american continent

Not quite. Chicago metro alone is about 80 miles from north to south and about 45 miles wide from east to west. As to density, I'll give that to Metro Manila but areawise the three biggest metros in the US namely NY, Chicago and LA are a lot bigger. To give us an idea how big Chicago Metro is, which is about 5792 sq/kms, it's half the size of my province of Cagayan already which is 9000 sq/kms.