By Anton Lutter
A delegation of mayors from the National Region Manila, the seat of government of The Philippines, with an estimated 15 million large population comprising 16 cities, visited several cities an organizations in The Netherlands for a study tour.
The delegation was led by Secretary Romando S. Artes, chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) a government organization responsible for amongst others development planning, solid waste disposal management and flood control and sewerage management.
In his welcoming speech Philippines’ ambassador to The Netherlands, His Excellency Jose Eduardo Malaya noted that “there are best practices and cutting-edge technologies available in the Netherlands which can be examined and considered for use in the Philippines, the visit is also in line with the sectors identified as priorities for cooperation at the Philippines-Netherlands Bilateral Consultations in June 2021, namely water and infrastructure, circular economy and sustainable development generally”.
Earlier this year President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. approved the proposal to establish a water resource management office under the Department of Environment and Natural resources, responsible for integration and harmonizing government efforts that will manage Philippine water resources. Such office is also responsible to “shepherd and champion, together with the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, the passage of a law creating an apex body such as the proposed Department of Water and/or a regulatory commission on water.”
During the study tour the mayors visited the Cities of Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam next to that a visit to Global Center on Adaptation, the AEB waste-to-energy plant, and the offices of Royal Haskoning, Deltares and Ocean Cleanup was on the program. The debate at The Hague city hall was focused on waste management as well as the management of water resources and its challenges. Since there’s no overall water and waste management “coordination” in The Netherlands, there was considerable interest in future developments in The Philippines with the express wish to exchange views and expertise.
The tour started with a welcoming dinner at the Kurhaus in Scheveningen which also included former deputy mayor of The Hague and member of Parliament Ries Smits and former city councillor and founder of Netherlands City Councillors Association (Nederlandsse Vereniging van Raadsleden) Anton Lutter, both have visited The Philippines several times.
The Philippines’ delegation also composed of MMDA Deputy Chairman Undersecretary Frisco S. San Juan, Jr., Caloocan (population 1.6 million) Mayor Dale Gonzalo R. Malapitan, Malabon (population 380.000) Mayor Jeannie N. Sandoval, Mandaluyong (population 425.000) Vice Mayor Carmelita A. Abalos, Muntinlupa (population 540.000) Mayor Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon, Navotas (population 247.000) Mayor John Reynald M. Tiangco, Pasay (population 440.000) Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, Pateros (population 63.000) Mayor Miguel F. Ponce III, Valenzuela (population 715.000) Mayor Weslie T. Gatchalian and the mayor of the most populated city of The Philippines Josefina G. Belmonte, Mayor of Quezon City (population 3 million) and lastly the Mayor of San Juan (population 126.000) Francisco Javier M. Zamora who is also the Chairman of Metro Manila Council, the governing and policy making body of the MMDA. Next to that several officials and city councillors were part of the delegation amongst them the President of the Metro Manila Councilors League as well as treasurer of the Philippine Councilors League Carolyn Cunanan.
Almost 50% of Philippines’ population live in cities, estimations are that about 84% are expected to live in urbanized areas by 2050. Manila is now the fourth largest urban area in the world and still growing every year. This rapid urbanization is accompanied with many environmental challenges like solid wastes problems and water problems. All these topics and more have been extensively discussed with a broad variety of organizations and companies in The Netherlands. As Ambassador Jose Eduardo Malaya emphasized in his speech in The Hague city hall “The delegation’s visit contributes significantly to the deepening of PH-Netherlands partnership”
