Jakarta could learn from Manila: Envoy<\/p>\n
By Ida Indawati Khouw<\/p>\n
MANILA (JP): Jakarta was once proud of its high-rise
\nbuildings, better infrastructure and other modern facilities in
\ncomparison with Metro Manila.<\/p>\n
But, that once proud feeling is being challenged as the
\nPhilippine capital is gearing up to become a \"real Metro\" Manila.<\/p>\n
Metro Manila, which consists of 12 autonomous cities, needs
\nonly slightly more development and it will leave Jakarta behind,
\nas the residents of Manila are already one step ahead of those in
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines Abu Hartono said in a
\nrecent interview that the Philippine government had successfully
\nprepared its people to adapt to a modern society, in which law
\nand order is implemented and respected.<\/p>\n
\"In the past, people always compared Jakarta to a city and
\nManila to a village.<\/p>\n
\"But that comparison is becoming more true in reverse,\" Abu
\ntold visiting journalists in his office in Manila's Makati
\ncentral business district.<\/p>\n
\"Jakarta is experiencing a downward trend in public order.\"<\/p>\n
The ambassador's remarks were backed up by an expert on urban
\ndevelopment who has described Jakarta as a big kampong because of
\nits residents' uncivilized attitude, even though they live in a
\nmetropolitan city.<\/p>\n
Abu said there had been significant changes in the
\nManilaneses' behavior so that they now respect law and order.<\/p>\n
\"But, at the same time, the Philippine authorities now also
\nlisten to the wishes of the people,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He did not deny that Manila, previously called Maynilad or the
\nplace where nilad (a type of flower) grows, was no better than
\nJakarta in terms of air pollution due to vehicles' gas emissions
\nand severe traffic congestion.<\/p>\n
\"However, the Manilanese respect the existing laws and
\nregulations. They are willing to stand in a long queue just to
\ntake a worn-out jeepney (a minibus built on the chassis of a
\njeep),\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Don't ever think that in Manila with its 9.4 million
\ninhabitants that you'll find a crowded bus with passengers
\nhanging on to its doors while the driver drives the vehicle
\nrecklessly.\"<\/p>\n
\"Neither will you find groups of students blocking the path of
\npublic buses in order to stop the vehicles and force the crews to
\npick them up.\"<\/p>\n
No brawls<\/p>\n
The ambassador said there were never any student brawls in
\nManila's streets, something which is a continuing trend in
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
\"The Manila authorities immediately take action against any
\ncrimes. The regulations here are implemented so fully that people
\ndare not violate them,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Unlike Jakartans, Manila residents are not killed by the
\nmilitary while fighting for their rights. All they need to do now
\nis concentrate on their country's physical development,
\nespecially on traffic management.\"<\/p>\n
How come the residents of a capital with a population density
\nof 14.8 persons per square kilometer are willing to respect the
\nregulations?<\/p>\n
The ambassador said it starts from the government, which
\nconveys its message to its employees. In return, they (the
\ngovernment) always listen to the people's demands.<\/p>\n
\"The Philippine government's economic policy, especially
\nduring former President Corazon C. Aquino's administration, has
\nplayed a big role in changing the behavior of the Filipinos,\" Abu
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
During her six-year presidential term, Aquino concentrated on
\nimproving human resources and paid less attention on the physical
\ndevelopment of her country.<\/p>\n
Abu cited an example of how the Philippine government listen
\nto the people's demands.<\/p>\n
\"Last year, some people won a case against private companies
\nwho raised fuel prices without their approval. The Philippine
\nSupreme Court ordered the companies monopolizing the oil business
\n-- Petron, Shell and Caltex -- to pay a fine of 10 billion pesos
\n(US$ 256.4 million),\" he said.<\/p>\n
He added that the three foreign companies paid the fine
\nthrough a commitment to reduce fuel prices.<\/p>\n
In the capital an integrated land and rail transportation
\nsystem is now under construction, which is expected to be able to
\ncarry 700,000 to one million passengers per day. The project is
\nslated to be completed in 2008.<\/p>\n
In the not-so-distant future, Manila will be able to solve its
\ntraffic problems while at the same time its people will be ready
\nto appreciate the new transportation system, Abu said.<\/p>\n
The ambassador said it was not impossible for Jakarta to learn
\nfrom Manila in solving its own problems.<\/p>\n
\"We (Indonesia) have a good system. The only thing we need is
\nthe true implementation of its laws and regulations,\" he said.<\/p>",
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