Kevin Mark R. Gomez’s research while affiliated with City University of Pasay and other places

This chapter focuses on lessons to be learned from Metro Manila’s decentralization experience in light of the debate to shift to federalism. The main concern is to address the persistent disparity between Metro Manila and other regions. The chapter also explores options for changing the status quo and in relation to this the alternative governance model which can better address Metro Manila’s current development challenges, given its present context and pressing realities. In relation to this, there are two alternative models which the authors interrogated, namely federalism and metropolitanization. The chapter argues that studying the NCR as a template and examining several possible options for progress may lead to a more profound understanding of the conversation surrounding the latest (and aborted) push for federalism in the Philippines.

This chapter gives a broad overview of the alternative models of governance to improve key public services in Metro Manila, which have emerged since the enactment of the LGC of 1991. This is in light of the several challenges which have confronted the LGC of 1991 in the implementation of social service delivery. The concerns it examines are the following: (1) the state of key services in Metro Manila; (2) how individual local government units in Metro Manila perform relative to their peers in other regions; and (3) under current conditions, what governance model can best address the gaps in public service delivery in Metro Manila. The chapter explores the concept of multi-level governance (MLG), e.g., federalism as an approach in instituting governance which go beyond boundaries to address the current shortcomings in the delivery of social services, e.g., peace and order, health, education, and disaster risk management.