The Metro Cebu enigma

Up until today, we use the term “Metro Cebu” fluidly daily as if it’s the most normal thing to do. We who live here, and those who are from other places, seem to understand what it means, yet no one can pinpoint its boundaries. It’s because there is no legal document that does that --list the towns and cities that comprise it, which excludes those who are not. There were attempts in the past, mostly initiated by past planning documents, but not formalized in any kind of legal paper. But we know what or where it is. In a vague conceptual manner.

The issue is more political than academic in nature. How do we define it? Where are the boundaries? Which towns and cities are part of it, and which are not? We are inclined to look at a metropolitan area as a large city. That’s true in a general sense, though many metros in the world includes smaller towns, too, as how we define towns (by size and/or population). The more defining characteristic is how their population, and activities, proceed daily.

We all understand that individual cities and towns have their own activities --especially those economic in nature, within its boundaries, with a few dealings with their neighbors, especially the adjacent ones. But certain cities, more especially those that are capitals of their provinces, usually emerge as the center of economic activities which radiate to their adjacent towns and cities and eventually form an interaction which does not respect their physical boundaries. They turn into a metropolis.

But that’s just the physical and economic side of it. On the political and administrative side, it’s entirely different. And difficult. Especially when the individual towns and cities have major differences in every aspect --area, population, and economic activity. Metro Manila was easier --there are more local government units (LGUs) and less differences among them, so not one may assert supremacy. Hence, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). It’s not even a government unit to speak of, just a cooperative body to manage certain metropolitan concerns. Especially transportation and traffic management.

We can try it for “Metro Cebu” but the situation is skewed. While it is on a decreasing trend, activities, both physical and economic, are still centered in Cebu City today. It’s spreading to the rest of “Metro Cebu” (putting it in quotes because it’s still a conceptual rather than a concrete term) but still overly unbalanced and centered in Cebu City. We know in time that this will spread but not sooner. Still, the need --concrete or desired-- exists and really needs to be addressed seriously.

It does not even need to be “legalized” though it might be in the future. Cebu City must take the lead --it’s the leading/primary city and the most highly affected, but it needs to be a collaborative effort. No need for a fixed MMDA-like structure but there is a need for regular discussions. Not just by their planning officers --I know they’re already talking but by the mayors and legislative councils. No harm in talking. It will take time, but you’ve got to start.