Federalism will ease MM traffic – lawmaker

MANILA, Philippines — The proposed shift to a federal system of government, which is being pushed by President Duterte, will ease congestion and resolve the traffic problem in Metro Manila by spreading economic development and creating opportunities in the countryside, Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo said yesterday.

“The current concentration of political and economic power in the central government based in Metro Manila partly accounts for the economic and development imbalance that has left far-flung provinces poor and made the metropolis the dominant region,” he said.

Castelo, who chairs the House committee on Metro Manila development, pointed to the lopsided share of economic growth in favor of Metro Manila and the two closest regions as proof of the unitary system’s failure to balance development.?

He noted that 62 percent of the country’s gross domestic product is produced and consumed largely in only three regions – Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon – leaving the 14 other regions with 38 percent.?

He said federalism would correct this imbalance by redistributing the powers and resources of government, giving all regions an opportunity to propel economic growth, create jobs and increase incomes to address poverty.?

 “This will prevent people in the provinces from continuing to flock to Metro Manila and even encourage those in the metropolis to return to their hometowns,” he said.