Benel Lagua l August 8, 2024 l Manila Bulletin
Thanks to the hospitality of cohort Stephen Tan, four Management Engineering graduates of the Ateneo had the chance to observe small city development in the countryside. Raul Montemayor, an advocate for farmers and agriculture, Dr. Robert Siy, ADB alumnus and urban planner, Lito Tria, Procter and Gamble marketing expert and one-time SkyCable Head, and this author witnessed firsthand how small cities thrive and develop.
Stephen hosted us in his hometown Oroquieta, the capital of Misamis Occidental, which adopts as its tag the “City of Good Life”. The city is amazingly clean and is abundantly blessed by nature, as it is surrounded with forest, rivers, falls and beaches. He resides in an amazing yellow house which is very close to the plaza, a unique park by the sea with beautiful landscape ideal for morning jogs and afternoon strolls. The food cuisine/delicacies served to guests were all freshly bought ingredients from nearby market.
Oroquieta means “quiet gold” and reflects the city’s allure. The city boasts of winning the “cleanest and greenest city of Northern Mindanao”. Stephen invited us to his friend’s milkfish or bangus floating fish cages in the Iligan Bay. The proponent, Dr. William Siao, adopts the use of Norwegian fish cage technology which utilizes high density polyethylene components that are more productive, sustainable and durable compared to traditional bamboo cages. He also showed us a prawn farm under development. Both undertakings provide a glimpse of nature’s blessings to the city.
Infrastructure development has been pivotal in Oroquieta’s growth. The improvement of road networks and transportation system, like the port, has enhanced connectivity facilitating trade and commerce. It is an amalgam of a city of the future while the past is honored well. Oroquieta is a blend of urban comforts and natural wonders.
The group likewise visited Asenso Global Garden in Tangub City which provides a picturesque view of the highlands of Misamis Occidental, overlooking the beautiful landscape of Lanao del Norte. The place has over 100 acres of green space and stunning views of surrounding nature. It is a relatively new attraction which offers potential for further enhancement and development for tourism.
In Dipolog City, the capital of Zamboanga del Norte, Evelyn Tang Uy, a chemistry graduate from our batch and one of the first women graduates of Ateneo de Manila, showed a model city boasting of developments and technologies only seen in major cities of Metro Manila. Evelyn was the first woman city mayor of Dipolog and completed 3 terms from 2008, succeeding husband Roberto who is considered the father of modern-day Dipolog.
The mass production of bottled sardines for which Dipolog is well known started during Evelyn’s term. Among her legacy projects are the Corazon C. Aquino Hospital, the Livelihood Enhancement Skills and Development Center and the Dipolog Sports Complex. The city is home to several higher educational institutions and is host to BPO facilities which offers opportunities for graduates to remain in the city. She likewise initiated the development of the 344-hectare reforestation area of the city. Evelyn earned for Dipolog the 2014 Galing Pook Award for Excellence in Good Governance.
We walked at least 3 kilometers of the “Boulevard”, a long stretch of seawall, road and esplanade which was a place to stroll and enjoy the breeze and magnificent view of the setting sun. It is the background story however that stands out. The area used to be occupied by hundreds of informal settlers-families and was a hotbed of vice and criminality. Former Mayor Bert Uy initiated the renewal project with a grand vision. Today, it is a monument to Dipolog’s urban transformation, a miracle demonstrating what is possible with political will and faith.
The city hall has undergone impressive improvement under incumbent Mayor Dexter Uy. The layout is modern with a service system for residents matching the equivalent of the best in Metro Manila. The edifice has a well- equipped Emergency Operation Center complete with communication facilities and surveillance cameras that monitor incoming and outgoing boats near Dipolog Boulevard. All concerns of the local and national government are centralized in the command center. It helped the city get cited for its COVID response and disaster preparedness system. It is the most competitive city in region 9 and has one of the fastest growing economies in Western Mindanao.
Oroquieta City and Dipolog City exemplify the potential for countryside development in the Philippines. Their progress and growth are the results of strategic planning, effective governance, and community involvement. These cities have leveraged their unique strengths and resources to drive economic and social advancement, serving as models for other regional urban centers in the country.
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Benel Dela Paz Lagua was previously EVP and Chief Development Officer at the Development Bank of the Philippines. He is an active FINEX member and an advocate of risk-based lending for SMEs. Today, he is independent director in progressive banks and in some NGOs. The views expressed herein are his own and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of his office as well as FINEX. Photo is from Google.