By Nimfa Estrellado President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inspects a housing project under the Pambansang Pabahay sa Pilipino program in San Fer...
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| President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inspects a housing project under the Pambansang Pabahay sa Pilipino program in San Fernando, Pampanga on July 3, 2023. The housing development is composed of 30 12-story buildings with a mix of 25 sq.m. and 28 sq.m. units. (Joey O. Razon, PNA) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon – A 70,000-hectare city in Quezon province is the Philippine government's proposed solution to Metro Manila's crippling congestion. Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar recently announced the project, stating that the DENR has found a location “near the Pacific Ocean.”
This area has a history with large-scale development proposals. The "Green Circle" project, explored during the Arroyo administration with Pacific Coast City as a proponent, faced controversy and opposition from indigenous Dumagat communities claiming ancestral domain. This history suggests the new project will likely face similar scrutiny regarding land rights and environmental impact.
The initiative reflects a global trend of governments exploring new urban centers to address rapid urbanization. While echoing past efforts like New Clark City, this project differs in scope. New Clark City focuses on relocating government offices, while the Quezon city aims to be a comprehensive urban center. Its sheer size—70,000 hectares—underscores the government's commitment to tackling congestion through large-scale planning.
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is collaborating with the DENR, DPWH, and DOTr. Acuzar emphasized the project's importance, citing similar initiatives in Indonesia and Malaysia. He told PTV, “So ano ang solusyon? Kailangan magbukas ng new development na malaki, na bagong siyudad,” and “Itong programang ito mahalaga ito dahil si Indonesia mayroon na rin, si Malaysia mayroon na rin.”
Acuzar added, “‘Pag nabuo na natin yung lupa na almost 70,000 hectares, doon na natin lalagyan ng plano yan,” explaining that planning will begin after the land is secured. Details about the master plan and timeline remain scarce. The DHSUD is seeking input from experts and community representatives to ensure a sustainable and responsive city.
This announcement follows extensive cabinet discussions on Metro Manila's traffic crisis. President Marcos Jr. has called for a “comprehensive and holistic approach,” moving beyond piecemeal solutions that have proven ineffective in the past.
Metro Manila's traffic woes are well-documented. The 2023 TomTom Traffic Index ranked it as having the world's worst congestion. A JICA study estimates this congestion costs the Philippine economy billions daily. The proposed Quezon city is a significant, albeit ambitious, attempt to mitigate these burdens.
However, many crucial details remain undisclosed. The precise location within Quezon province, the project's estimated cost, and the specifics of its planned infrastructure are all still unclear. Similarly, the government's strategy for addressing potential environmental impacts and the reactions of local communities are yet to be fully revealed.
The "Green Circle" project, previously proposed for this area during the Arroyo administration, aimed to build a large-scale “eco-tourism hub.” This earlier project, with Pacific Coast City (owned by lawyer Romeo Roxas) as the developing firm, was intended to include modern seaports, schools, government offices, Olympic-style sports facilities, and other amenities.
However, the project faced strong opposition from the Dumagat indigenous communities who claimed the land as their ancestral domain. They feared the project would lead to the commercialization of their culture and the exploitation of their ancestral lands. While details about the Dumagat community's opposition and concerns are available, the official reason for the Green Circle project's discontinuation remains unclear.
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