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To decongest NCR, spur devt in regions
Cayetano: Move some government agencies outside Metro Manila

Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter “Companero” S. Cayetano is pushing for the relocation of some government departments outside Metro Manila not only to decongest cities in the capital region but more importantly, to boost economic development in the countryside.

“If we want a long-term solution to decongest Metro Manila, the government must bring growth to the countryside. Kapag nag-economic planning tayo, dapat may national vision and coherent policy but there should also be 17 regional strategies. Bawat region, may strategy tapos paglalaanan ng pondo,” Cayetano said.

“There are 19,137 Filipinos per square kilometer in Metro Manila, ganoon kadami ang tao dito. Ang pinakamalapit nang bilang ay sa Calabarzon, which only has 758 people per square meter. The rest, ang average is around 300 per square meter. Karamihan nasa Metro Manila na,” he noted.

Cayetano proposed that the Departments of Agriculture, and Agrarian Reform be transferred to Central Luzon, the country's rice granary, while the Department of Transportation and Communications be moved to Cavite where the agency is eyeing to build a new airport, and the Department of Tourism to tourist haven Cebu in Central Visayas.

He is also suggesting that the National Anti-Poverty Commission be relocated in Mindanao, which has some of the poorest provinces and municipalities in the entire country.

“Metro Manila will continue to be the political and financial capital of the Philippines but this should not mean economic activity should be concentrated in the capital region,” Cayetano said.

The senator is also pushing for similar health centers located in Metro Manila to be constructed in other regions across the country to provide wider access to health facilities and services, and promote employment among medical professionals

“Ang Lung Center natin, Kidney Center, Orthopedic Center lahat nasa Metro Manila. Kapag Ilocano ka, Zamboangeno, or Cebuano, pupunta ka pa sa Manila for that? Why can’t we build a Philippine Heart Center in Visayas or in Mindanao? So that ang mga doctors, may choice din na doon pumunta, and economic activity will grow,” Cayetano said.

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