Probinsyudad No More

Rodney Artida

For years, Taguig City has strive to stay true to its principle of Metro Manila’s ‘Probinsyudad’, striking a balance between modernization and tradition, advancement and the environment, a yin and yang of urban and rural.

The city has been progressing real fast when Bonifacio Global City was developed. Despite of commercialization, the city managed to preserve rural living such as farming, fishing and festivals.

Projects have been launched to naturally convert unused, vacant or abandoned lots so that they work to the benefit of the people.

Yet another issue that the city fails to address is the growth of urban sprawl. In just a span of 10 years the city’s population grew from 644,000 in 2007 to 805,000 in 2016, a whopping 4.32% annual increase of population.

The increase in population is coupled with problems like traffic, informal settlers and loss of green space.

Green spaces are giving way for projects that will improve the road connectivity and services. Around 500 sidewalk trees are removed talready to give way to a road-widening project in Taguig City’s commercial district.

Trees around FTI Compound are being removed for the construction of Intermodal station of Arca South, a commercial development of Ayala Corp.

These developments indicate that the city is leaving its ‘probinsyudad’ branding and will embrace the urbanization. Taguigenos will lose something vital. The quality of life needs probinsyudad offers besides modern infrastructure.

Development of the city is important, yet it is to be hoped that there will be environmental measures taken that will not bring damage or ruin to the environment in the process of commercialization.