THE National Economic Development Authority Region 10 is in the process of formulating a Master Plan for the Sustainable Infrastructure Development of Metropolitan Cagayan de Oro.
Sustainable urban infrastructure expands on the concept of urban infrastructure by adding the sustainability element with the expectation of improved and more sustained urban development.
In the construction and physical and organizational structures that enable cities to function, there is the aim of meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the capabilities of the future generations (Tiwari, 2016).
According to the College of Engineering and Applied Science of the University of Colorado Denver, urban infrastructure refers to the engineered systems (water, energy, transport, sanitation, information) that make up a city.
However, challenges resulting from increasing population growth generated a need for sustainable infrastructure that is high performing, cost-effective, resource-efficient and environmentally-friendly. (UCD, 2015)
NEDA-10 Regional Director Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño said NEDA-10 received the notice to proceed with the P 64.857 Million project last 23 January 2019, followed by the kick off meeting 7 February 2019.
A Regional Consultation was held 11 March 2019 at a local hotel with LGU Chief Executives, government planners, civic society groups and media, following its presentation to the Regional Land Use Committee 4 March 2019.
“We have managed to come up with the vision for Metro Cagayan de Oro which shall form the basis for the Metro CDO Master Plan, among other things,” Ms. Cariño said.
The 12 month study aims to formulate a master plan for the sustainable urban infrastructure development of Metropolitan CDO; guide decision-makers in the preparation and approval of plans, policies, and programs/projects/activities (PAPs) in the urban growth center; and improve the competitiveness, security, and resiliency from disaster; and general urban conditions of the metropolitan area.
Background
The Metro Cagayan de Oro Master Plan had its beginnings in 1990 when the Metro CDO Special Development Project was first proposed by regional planners through the Integrated Area Development paradigm then in vogue. This was followed in 1996 by the proposal to develop a Comprehensive Metro CDO Master Plan.
In 2009, the Expanded CDO-Iligan Corridor (CIC) Area was identified as Metro CDO, the hub for trading and services, which was formally recognized in 2017 with its inclusion in the Philippine Development Plan of 2017-2022 as the realization of Metro CDO by 2025.
Finally, the Metro CDO Master Plan for Sustainable Infrastructure Development was formally approved in 2018, and funds provided under the General Appropriations Act of 2018 through the Project Development and other Related Studies (PRDS) Fund.
Metro Cagayan de Oro
Metropolitan Cagayan de Oro was formally included in the Philippine Development Plan of 2017-2022 which envisions Region 10’s role in National Development with the emergence of Metro CDO as the Philippines’ 4th Metropolitan Center by 2025 as a major gateway & trans-shipment hub, and Key educational center with potential growth in the banana industry, rubber, bamboo, cacao, coco coir, coffee, agribusiness, and tourism.
With a total population of 1, 219, 005 as of 2015 and total land area of 2,221, 13 square kilometers, Metro CDO initially planned to include the two cities of Cagayan de Oro and El Salvador in Misamis Oriental, eleven municipalities in Misamis Oriental (Initao, Gitagum, Libertad, Laguindingan, Alubijid, Opol, Tagoloan, Villanueva, Jasaan, Claveria, and Balingasag) and six municipalities in Bukidnon (Manolo Fortich, Baungon, Sumilao, Malitbog, Libona, and Talakag).
“Originally 11 municipalities and 2 cities were involved but the configuration of Metro CDO has evolved,” said Ms. Cariño. “More municipalities are being considered.”
Population trends indicate Metro CDO will have a total population of 1,382,574 on 2.73 growth rate by 2020, to grow further to a populace of 1,559,475 on 1.28 growth rate by 2025.
Key Deliverables
Key deliverables for the project include ensuring the Metro CDO Vision is consistent with national and regional objectives of the Philippine and Regional Development Plans for 2019-2022; stakeholders profiles and determination of physical, climatological and socio-economic attributes; infrastructure requirements to support the Metro CDO development, and the overall framework, action plan, business case/pre-feasibility study of top priority PPAs and communication plan.
With the help of the Consultants for Comprehensive Environmental Planning, Inc. (CONCEP), the project will conduct situational analyses of economic development, land use, transport and connectivity, environment and disaster risk reduction, housing, services and facilities, recreation and tourism, energy and power.
National Alignment
The Metro CDO Master Plan for Sustainable Urban Infrastructure is aligned with the Philippine Development Plan of 2017-2022 dubbed “ AmBisyon Natin 2040, and the National Spatial Strategy which sets the direction of future growth recognizing population, geography and the role of cities as engines of economic growth, with infrastructure providing efficient connective networks of sustainable urban and rural communities, consistent with the country’s long-term vision and the Regional Development Plan 2017-2022 and Strategic Development Areas.
Identified Key Development Zones in Region 10’s SDAs include Lanao del Norte Development Cluster, Iligan Industrial Core, LADP Impact Zone, CDO Metropolitan Area, and the Misamis Ecozone.
These KDZs are conceived to capitalize on commonality of resources, optimize potentials and identify concerns for more focused interventions; serve as areas of efficiency, innovation and creativity; anchored on the National Spatial Strategy: concentration/regional agglomeration; connectivity; and vulnerability reduction
Development Challenges
Among the development challenges in Metro CDO that the Sustainable Urban Infrastructure Master Plan aims to address are the following needs:
An efficient transport system as evidenced by traffic congestion resulting in opportunity costs lost and increased costs of vehicles in gridlock; the absence of efficient mass public transport (e.g. bus rapid transit, rail) and weak enforcement of traffic rules.
Improved Solid Waste Management to address indiscriminate waste disposal by households, institutions and industries into waterways and water bodies; non-segregation of wastes despite local ordinances.
Resilient infrastructure to manage and control flooding events in downtown CDO which paralyzes economic activities.
Environmental Integrity to curb rampant and unchecked conversion of prime agricultural lands (with Misamis Oriental as a Top 10 province with biggest number of conversions) and the major challenges to land management and economic growth.
Priority Areas for Development
Among the identified priority areas of development in Metro CDO as a Land Use and Master Plan for the Metro CDO that includes the following key vision elements: Making communities more resilient/sustainable; Balancing Socio-economic opportunities; Connectivity; Septage & Sewerage Facilities; Efficient Mass Transport System (BRT/Rail); Establishment of Disaster Risk Management & Mitigation, and traffic monitoring office; Walkable neighborhoods, parks and open spaces geared toward sustainable environment; and a Metro-wide Solid Waste Management System.
Ways Forward
Following the ongoing data collection needed to flesh out the master plan, the Consultants are scheduled to deliver a Midterm Report by July, 2019; with the delivery of the Draft Final Report set for December 2019.
This would include the draft Master Plan and Pre-Feasibility Study which will be presented to the Infrastructure Committee and the Regional Development Council general assembly on the same month, with the delivery of the Final Report (Master Plan and Pre-FS) expected by January 2020.
