Strategic Planning
in the Philippines
A BRIEF TIMELINE
BARANGAY COMMUNITIES IN
PRE - HISPANIC ERA
Pre-Hispanic Filipinos were predominantly migrants of Malayan and Indonesian
stock. The communities settled as separate kinship groups within their defined
territories that obtained the character of villages. Notable among those were the
settlements of Manila and Cebu. in the case of Manila, it already had a homogeneous
population of 2,000 inhabitants at the Rajah Soliman -- a bamboo barricaded town
resisting Dutch and Chinese invaders. It was razed to the ground in the battles
between the native and a Spanish Exploration in 1570. It was soon to be rebuilt and
made the center of Spanish colonial activities.
COLONIAL YEARS
The Spanish form of settlement provided for effective control of the pueblos
(town). The natives were introduced to the gridiron arrangement – plaza complex.
The dominant structures were the church and the town hall around the town plaza.
Street were laid out so as to provide a continuous route for religious processions.
Around the edifice revolved the residence of the Spaniards, the principalia and the
masses. The cler learned from the resettlement projects in Hispanic America that
compact villages provided a framework for rapid Christian induction and societal
organization.
AMERICAN ERA
The Americans saw the urgent need for guiding the urban growth and physical
development of the country. They concentrated in planning cities were growth was
inevitable. In 1904, Daniel Burnham together with Pierce Anderson, surveyed Manila,
Baguio and other cities. By this time Manila submitted in 1905 included the following: 1)
Development of the waterfront of recreation of parks and parkways so as to give the proper
means of recreation to every quarter of the city; 2) Street system securing direct and easy
communication from one district to another; 3) Location of building sites for various
activities; 4) Development of waterways for transportation; and 5) Summer resorts. The
plan was accepted and the office of consulting architect was created the following year by
Phil. Commission Act. No. 1495.
WORLD WAR II
Upom the outbreak of the Second World War, four-fifth of GMS (Greater Manila
Area) was destroyed. Manila was converted into one “giant slum”. To arrest the
housing problem. President Manuel Roxas instructed the national Housing Commission
in 1946 to build houses for the US-Phil. War damaged commission. The National
Urban Planning Commission (NUPC) was also created during that same year. It had
the purpose of preparing general plans, zoning ordinances and subdivision regulations
for was devastated areas, a real property board was also created to attend to real
estate problems resulting from the plan implementation NUPC in Manila in 1947.
THE NATIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
In 1950, President Elpidio Quirino created the National Planning Commission (NPC) --
absorbing the NUPC, CCPC, and RPB. The new agency was intended for more integrated
planning for both urban and regional areas at a greater efficiency and economy. NPC prepared
a master plan for Manila, which was submitted to President Magsaysay in 1954.
It has the following objectives: 1) Make Manila a convenient and ideal place to live, play and
own; 2) Remedy the critical traffic congestion and at the same time provide for anticipated
traffic needs; 3) Prevent overcrowding of population; 4) Use land to the best advantage and
bring order and reason the present undesirable mixture of homes, stores and factories; 5)
Distribute equitable the much needed elementary schools and playgrounds; 6) Protect and
promote healthy property values; and 7) Utilize existing improvement as much as possible.
INTEGRATED SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,
1960S
The most comprehensive and most “revolutionary” of the development plans was the
Five-Year Integrated Socio-Economic Program for the Philippines (1961 – 1964)
launched in the administration of president Diosdado Macapagal.
Goal: Prosperity of the people by expanding the gross domestic product by up to 6%
compound rate over a five – year period.
LIBERALIZATION AND FREEDOM
OF THE MARKET, 1970S
The Four - Year Developmental Plan for Fiscal Years 1972 - 19975 under President
Ferdinand Marcos had two distinguishing characteristics: 1) its espousal of a new
development strate and 2) its use, for the first time in Philippine planning, of a
formally specified macro - economic model to underpin its estimates.
The plan carried about the same vision and goals as its predecessor; higher per capita
income, greater employment, more equitable income distribution, internal stability, and
regional industrialization and development.
POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND THE PEOPLE
POWER, 1980S
The Medium -Term philippine Development Plan under the administration of
President Corazon Aquino had the same vision as previous plans -- the uplifting and
prosperity of the people. For the first time, however, the alleviation of poverty was
mentioned as a major goal. Other goals were: the generation of more productive
employment, the promotion of equity and social justice, the attainment of sustainable
economic growth (where the growth of GNP is a 6.8% per year on average).
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNATIONAL
COMPETITIVENESS, 1990S
The vision that illumined the Medium - Term Philippine Development Plan 1993 - 1998,
prepared in the administration of President Fidel Ramos, was prosperity for Filipinos and
the uplift of many from the clutches of poverty.
The Plan cast the goal in positive terms, however: "The goal of all economic development
efforts is the development of the human person and the improvement of the quality of
life."
ANGAT PINOY, 2004
Angat Pinoy 2004 or the Medium Term Philippine Development plan lays the groundwork
of the Estrada Administration fro sustainable development and growth with equity.
Sustainable development means growth without sacrificing environmental sustainability
while growth is needed to generate sufficient employment and livelihood for everyone. Equity
means that the growth will benefit all FIlipinos.
the general principles for the Angat Pinoy 2004 are the acceleration of rural development,
expanded access to basic social services, infrastructure development, and a globally
competitive industry and services -- accompanied by responsible fiscal management.
GOOD GOVERNANCE AND THE RULE OF LAW
Overrode the MTPDP (2001 - 2004) and prepared under the leadership of President
Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo. It has expanded to include the eradication of poverty as a
major goal.
The goal has four components, namely: 1) macroeconomic stability with equitable
growth based on free enterprise; 2) agriculture and fisheries modernization with social
equity; 3) comprehensive human development and protection for the vulnerable; and
4) good governance and the rule of law.
PMTD 2011 - 2016: GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ANTI -
CORRUPTION
DP 2011 - 2016 is good governance and anti - corruption in achieving inclusive growth,
which creates massive employment opportunities and significantly reduces poverty.
The aim of the plan is :[I}nclusive growth, not the trickle - down and jobless growth that we
had in the past years."
The PDP 2011 - 2016 translates the President's "Social Contract with the Filipino People"
into effective, efficient, and inclusive PMTD 2011 - 2016 Good Governance and Anti -
Corruption.
