Urban dev’t in PH countryside needed for incoming investors
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Renowned Filipino architect Jun Palafox emphasized the need for urban development in the Philippine countryside to accommodate incoming foreign investors.
Speaking on SMNI’s Business and Politics, Palafox said the Philippines needs 100 new cities by 2050 to avoid congestion in Metro Manila and other existing cities.
The architect added that the investment pledges President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. secured from his worldwide tours are intended for the whole country, not just Metro Manila.
“In terms of leapfrogging [other countries], there are opportunities like information technology and artificial intelligence [that the Philippines can tap into to develop electronics-related industries in the country] as the manufacturers for the fossil fuel cars will be obsolete in 10 years,” Palafox stated.
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies and call centers can be expanded to the countryside to provide jobs and entice Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to come home.
Palafox highlighted that there are already cities and regions that have launched or stepped up their development efforts, such as Clark in Pampanga, Bulacan, Calabarzon, and the Ilocos Region.
He also noted that airport-driven infrastructure would be critical for the country’s progress this century, and the government needs to fix airports and seaports to entice more investors.
The architect highlighted the five-year Philippine Economic Development Plan as a good starting point. However, the plan’s success depends on visionary leadership, strong political will, good urban and national development planning, sound design and engineering, good management, and excellent citizenship.
