Previously, we have discussed the matter of federalism and how it can help address the issue of congestion in Metro Manila for the region to achieve a more meaningful development. But as was pointed out last time, decongestion is just part of the equation to achieve this goal of a meaningful development. The other part of the equation is equally important, and that is governance. A metropolis of 17 kingdoms Metro Manila, sadly, presently suffers from an ill-conceived system of government that has often prevented measures that would have enabled meaningful development for the metropolis. The thing is, Metro Manila today is nothing more than a set of 17 little…
-
-
Christmas in the City 2015: Beating the Holiday Traffic
For many of us denizens of this crazy (in ways both good and bad) metropolis, the Christmas season is something we look forward to each year. What we don’t look forward to though is the traffic, traffic whose intensity is a red as the color of the Christmas lights or Santa Claus’ outfit. Sadly, it is a reality we have to live through at the moment, no thanks to the lack of the needed infrastructure needed to ease the traffic and the fact that the metropolis itself has been very, very congested for years now. With the infrastructure still being built or waiting to be built at this time, at…
-
Postscripts From The Earthquake Drill
Last July 30, the entire Metro Manila participated in a simultaneous activity called the Metro Manila Shake Drill, an earthquake drill organized by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in coordination with various risk reduction and rescue teams. The aim of this activity was to promote awareness on the possibility of a deadly earthquake with the presence of the West Valley Fault in the eastern part of the metropolis as well to educate the people on what to do if and when this earthquake strikes. Many establishments, groups, as well as the general public, participated in this activity as they practiced the techniques on what to do when an earthquake…
-
Nazareno Blues and Other News
Today, there are no classes and city government work in the City of Manila as it celebrates the Feast of the Black Nazarene, an event the Urban Roamer has written about in the past. This year though has been an interesting one not much because of the event but due to the sidelights which have gotten a bit more attention.