Jakarta could learn from Manila: Envoy

Jakarta could learn from Manila: Envoy

By Ida Indawati Khouw

MANILA (JP): Jakarta was once proud of its high-rise
buildings, better infrastructure and other modern facilities in
comparison with Metro Manila.

But, that once proud feeling is being challenged as the
Philippine capital is gearing up to become a "real Metro" Manila.

Metro Manila, which consists of 12 autonomous cities, needs
only slightly more development and it will leave Jakarta behind,
as the residents of Manila are already one step ahead of those in
Jakarta.

Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines Abu Hartono said in a
recent interview that the Philippine government had successfully
prepared its people to adapt to a modern society, in which law
and order is implemented and respected.

"In the past, people always compared Jakarta to a city and
Manila to a village.

"But that comparison is becoming more true in reverse," Abu
told visiting journalists in his office in Manila's Makati
central business district.

"Jakarta is experiencing a downward trend in public order."

The ambassador's remarks were backed up by an expert on urban
development who has described Jakarta as a big kampong because of
its residents' uncivilized attitude, even though they live in a
metropolitan city.

Abu said there had been significant changes in the
Manilaneses' behavior so that they now respect law and order.

"But, at the same time, the Philippine authorities now also
listen to the wishes of the people," he said.

He did not deny that Manila, previously called Maynilad or the
place where nilad (a type of flower) grows, was no better than
Jakarta in terms of air pollution due to vehicles' gas emissions
and severe traffic congestion.

"However, the Manilanese respect the existing laws and
regulations. They are willing to stand in a long queue just to
take a worn-out jeepney (a minibus built on the chassis of a
jeep)," he said.

"Don't ever think that in Manila with its 9.4 million
inhabitants that you'll find a crowded bus with passengers
hanging on to its doors while the driver drives the vehicle
recklessly."

"Neither will you find groups of students blocking the path of
public buses in order to stop the vehicles and force the crews to
pick them up."

No brawls

The ambassador said there were never any student brawls in
Manila's streets, something which is a continuing trend in
Jakarta.

"The Manila authorities immediately take action against any
crimes. The regulations here are implemented so fully that people
dare not violate them," he said.

"Unlike Jakartans, Manila residents are not killed by the
military while fighting for their rights. All they need to do now
is concentrate on their country's physical development,
especially on traffic management."

How come the residents of a capital with a population density
of 14.8 persons per square kilometer are willing to respect the
regulations?

The ambassador said it starts from the government, which
conveys its message to its employees. In return, they (the
government) always listen to the people's demands.

"The Philippine government's economic policy, especially
during former President Corazon C. Aquino's administration, has
played a big role in changing the behavior of the Filipinos," Abu
said.

During her six-year presidential term, Aquino concentrated on
improving human resources and paid less attention on the physical
development of her country.

Abu cited an example of how the Philippine government listen
to the people's demands.

"Last year, some people won a case against private companies
who raised fuel prices without their approval. The Philippine
Supreme Court ordered the companies monopolizing the oil business
-- Petron, Shell and Caltex -- to pay a fine of 10 billion pesos
(US$ 256.4 million)," he said.

He added that the three foreign companies paid the fine
through a commitment to reduce fuel prices.

In the capital an integrated land and rail transportation
system is now under construction, which is expected to be able to
carry 700,000 to one million passengers per day. The project is
slated to be completed in 2008.

In the not-so-distant future, Manila will be able to solve its
traffic problems while at the same time its people will be ready
to appreciate the new transportation system, Abu said.

The ambassador said it was not impossible for Jakarta to learn
from Manila in solving its own problems.

"We (Indonesia) have a good system. The only thing we need is
the true implementation of its laws and regulations," he said.