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- Week 1

URBAN DESIGN | A73 | AR. ENRIQUE JOSE VALENCIA

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 Problems on Traffic

Traffic congestion is a confluence of many factors, especially lack of comprehensive urban

and regional planning, among others. Lack of government policies also contribute to the traffic

problem. People being impatient and disobedient of the rules add to the burden of road congestion.

Those undisciplined jeepney, bus and taxi drivers that stop in the middle of the road to take in

passengers are also responsible.

Our country is now among the fastest-growing economies in Asia, according to an article

written in Business mirror- which means more Filipinos are able to buy cars. The number of motor

vehicles continue to increase but inadequate road infrastructure is also a big issue. Another

problem is the development of vacant lands into malls, office buildings, and other commercial

structures that further aggravate the shortage in road infrastructure.

Unfinished road construction is also a contributing factor in traffic congestion. It is a

normal thing but sometimes it becomes a big issue when the roadwork lasts longer than expected

due to some delays. Add to this is the narrowing of streets caused by illegal settlements or vendors.

Also, we are flood-prone country- so even a light downpour floods many streets resulting to stalled

traffic. And lastly, vehicles parked in the roads or streets due to ample parking spaces have a great

impact on road performance as well. If parking is not well served, then it can disrupt traffic flow

and cause congestion.

GOGUANCO | GUERRERO | MERCADO

 Problems on Zoning and Build Build Build Program

Many parts of our country, particularly the highly urbanized areas were suffering from the

improper zoning and wrong appropriation of land. Large tracts of government-owned land are

being converted for commercial and residential purposes in areas where we should more wisely

be developing parks and other facilities. Aside from this, the Build build build program has been

fueling demands for imports of capital goods, pressuring the peso that leads to more expensive

imports, pushing up inflation. Higher excise levies on fuel which aims to partly fund the Build

Build Build initiative have been adding upward pressures on prices. Rising prices threaten the cost

of projects and could lead to the rearrangement of priorities. Changes in priorities might arise from

an effort to curtail the inflationary spiral within a macroeconomic framework.

Lack of urban development policy that may even cause a more troubling impact in the

economy is another issue. Massive unplanned urbanization in the country’s urban centers when

coupled with climate change and explosive population growth would cause “unparalleled

disaster”. Migration of families from rural area to the cities in search of a better life that creates

more “slums and slum living”. And sometimes the plan development and implementation are not

aligned with peoples’ needs.

GOGUANCO | GUERRERO | MERCADO

 Problems on Lack of Jobs

First problem on lack of jobs is the lack of quality graduates. More than 100,000 college

graduates fail in qualifying board exams each year with customs brokers and librarians posting the

lowest passing rates. Second problem is the job-skill mismatch among graduates. The country’s

education system continues to produce college graduates whose skills don’t necessarily fit with

what is in demand in the job market. Third problem is the lack of Job Openings or opportunities

due to low rate of job vacancy. Fourth, Lack of understanding on job application. Even if they’re

looking at a job description, some of them are unable to figure out how to fill up a form, how to

use e-mail service or find the address of the recruitment agency.

Fifth, lack of skills and experience - Because of lack of related skills and experience,

jobless workers or fresh graduates are unable to take on careers that are available in the job market.

Sixth, Rapid population growth. The population is increasing as a result the financial power of

economy is getting lows. Seventh, Lack of matching skills and education. According to CIA World

Fact Book, in 2012, only 15% of the labor force is in the industrial sector, while 32% is in the

agricultural sector. This indicates the lack of opportunities for graduates meant for the former. As

a result, many of graduates are forced to go abroad or take on jobs that are unrelated to their skills.

And lastly, discrimination and unreasonable job requirements. Unequal treatment for someone

specifically because of color, religion, age, and way of living.

GOGUANCO | GUERRERO | MERCADO

 Conclusion

There are many problems that contribute to the traffic, zoning & build build build program,

and lack of jobs. These problems work like a loop. A problem will link to another. It starts with a

problem and ends with a problem. The question is, how do we stop this loop? We don’t know yet.

We will find out the answer next week.

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GOGUANCO | GUERRERO | MERCADO