The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) concluded recently the Roadmap Study for Sustainable Urban Development in Metro Cebu while also citing solid growth of 5.8 percent in gross domestic product (GDP) and one million new jobs to be created by 2050 once the roadmap is fully implemented.
The Metro Cebu Roadmap study, initiated in 2013 by Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB) in collaboration with Jica and Yokohama City, Japan to attain the Mega Cebu Vision 2050, is the city’s blueprint for sustainable economic development.
The vision aims at a vibrant, equitable, sustainable and competitive environment that embraces Cebu’s creativity and its cultural, historical and natural resources, with strong citizen participation and responsive governance. “We hope that the Philippine government will approve the roadmap in the same way that they supported the Infrastructure Roadmap for Mega Manila,” Jica chief representative in the Philippines Noriaki Niwa said.
“The study showed that Central Visayas can become a leading growth center in the country, and therefore has the potential to sustain the Philippines’ economic gains, and jobs for Filipinos, he added.”
Niwa also cited the support and cooperation of Cebu stakeholders in finalizing the roadmap. He underscored the need to “immediately start working on flagship projects under the Metro Cebu Roadmap.”
“We are also expecting that the Roadmap will be supported by future administrations,” Niwa added.
Based on the Jica study, economic activities in Metro Cebu are expected to increase by 15 times its 2010 level. The city’s GDP per capita is expected to grow more than $20,000 in 2050, almost the same as Korea’s level in 2010.
Metro Cebu’s GDP is also projected to rise by 8.3 percent annually between 2010 and 2020; 7.8 percent per year from 2020 to 2030; and then 5.8 percent per year from 2030 to 2050.
The study identified 10 flagship projects for implementation until 2020, and also outlined 14 anchor programs to be implemented by 2050. Seven sub-roadmaps were also identified under the study, namely:
• Metropolitan Competitiveness Enhancement;
• Urban Structure and Land Use;
• Highway Network and Public Transport;
• Water Supply, Storm Water and Wastewater Management;
• Solid Waste Management;
• Smart SRP (South Road Properties) Development; and
• Metropolitan Governance.
Metro Cebu is the second largest metropolis of the Philippines with a population of 2.55 million in 2010, and is considered the economic center of the central region of the country.
Historically, the area has been a regional trading hub and recognized for its world-class marine resorts. In recent years, the region has been experiencing high levels of private business investments and industrial expansion.
However, due to rapid urbanization and population growth, various interrelated urban issues have emerged across the sectors of transport, drainage, water, and waste management. Therefore, a more comprehensive and sustainable development approach is required to address the diverse range of urban challenges accompanying the rapid growth of Metro Cebu.
It is recognized that a new comprehensive and integrated metropolitan development plan for Metro Cebu should be prepared.
Given this background, Jica in collaboration with the City of Yokohama has supported Metro Cebu in 2013, through the Metro Cebu Development and Coordination Board (MCDCB), to come up with a long-term development vision called “Mega Cebu Vision 2050.”
Furthermore, Jica and MCDCB have conducted “the Roadmap Study for Sustainable Urban Development in Metro Cebu to formulate a roadmap and action plan to realize the Mega Cebu Vision 2050.