In popular belief, cities that gain an impressive status in the ranks of revenue, local business, transportation, and economy are independently well off to navigate and steer their path to fortune. Yet, when underlying difficulties and messes are shunned from people’s eyes in an effort to paint a progressive outlook and gain honeyed sympathies for their own being is a step toward false reality.
After being proclaimed eligible for the Highly Urbanized City (HUC) status by former President Rodrigo R. Duterte last December 2020, the City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan (CSJDM) is set to determine its future as an independent governing state in an October 30 plebiscite in accordance with the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (SK). The plebiscite offers two options: “Yes” and “No” in which its residents will vote on whether the city’s conversion is up to good expectations.
The city’s Mayor, Arthur Robes, asserted that CSJDM can climb to great pride as a 1st-class city coinciding with other HUCs such as those of Metro Manila. However, with numerous problems swept under the rug, it is now not the time to rapidly advance into something bigger when puzzling obstacles restrain you from flourishing.
Although HUC cities are excellent in accelerating performance to modernity, it is met with consequences. Independent cities such as Quezon and Manila, happen to house poor air quality, bad waste reduction, and pollution in their squares of land. It is also with no doubt that an HUC city like Manila suffers from troubling records of people in poverty as over 3.1 million citizens were reported as individuals suffering from this inevitable problem just a year after the pandemic. Manila produces over 9.2 million kilograms of scrap and waste alone amounting to a large percentage of the Philippines' daily solid waste as per The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in 2018. HUC cities, though ideal for middle and upper-class individuals, are cruel to those who solely thrive on one meal daily, “houses” made out of broken roof works and at times cardboard, those who already walk the streets in search of a chance of life when they are supposed to be in a better state, and those who can’t live their dreams and are chained by hard realities.
The city government, however, assured its residents that the prices of goods, taxes, water, and power bills would not be affected if its HUC status is agreed on. Instead, planning for the construction of multiple local foundations will be looked upon with regard to its ever-soaring population and demand for more public organizations. But when a city has established great footing in fields of economy, then funding for these should have an impactful effect on its residents. In spite of the fact that CSJDM is declared a city, salary pay is still at a provincial rate. Of the 651,813 citizens living in the area, a majority of them work outside of the city and settle for jobs in more steadily governed places. A 1st-class city with such a poor way of rewarding its workers who continue to support their every agenda in hopes for a change of life could be considered ironic. Words that are candy-coated will immediately lose their sweetness, once their layers are finally revealed, all we see is the short end of the stick.
SJDM has been known as the Rising City, but it is still on its way in achieving its full potential. For several years, the city has been known as “the next big city of dreams and fortune” and has always stayed that way. To add, a number of its population predominantly depends on the province’s funds, especially scholarships and healthcare. It would be a bother to cut them off since most hospitals in the city are severely minuscule in growth, planning, and funding. And if not lacking, hospitals are private, which requires its clients to pay a hefty price during checkups and appointments. The vast advancement of its standing pressurizes citizens who are in need of careful consideration, and not wanting to be glorified as a 1st-class individual when you are not and is actually in need of an adequate living condition.
Even though becoming an HUC comes with different advantages such as a boost of local autonomy compared to municipalities, enhanced prestige, and entitlement to a single legislative district in the Congress, the city is not yet ready to reach a height of greatness than it actually is. In comparison, SJDM undoubtedly is not yet there for a status that requires a ton of responsibility and firm governance to other HUC cities. Overwhelming truths are difficult to face when one's perception is clouded and has never seen actual occurrences that are in need of urgent reach. If the city were to become an HUC, it leaves us with a question: does its citizens get to experience a promising life, or would it only manifest on the ones who are already up there?
Income and tax are tough for most urban cities. Due to multiple infrastructures built in order to heighten residency, taxes alongside income, grow with the presence of highly demanded businesses, land, and rent. The fundamental purpose of gaining the status of an HUC is to lessen the hardships of life and unlock doors of opportunities, yet what happens seems to be the opposite. Low salaries are among the general problems HUC cities in the country face. Work shifts can vary from 8 to 10 hours long but pay stays at an all-time low. Job quality and unemployment rose to 4.2% and 14.2% respectively during November of last year. Despite its slight decrease, it is still a crucial issue that must be solved as soon as possible.
Attaining an HUC status is not a smooth and easy feat. Even if it offers great changes, simply burying current matters would not eradicate the already growing problems. This city needs a change in direction where instances are not rushed or forced. It is the unification of its executives and people to keep the road to progress clear and safe, with no person left behind, and no oaths shattered and buried under the dirt. All the choices picked reflect the city’s future state. To conclude, voting must be done wisely and with objectivity.
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