Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte backs shift to federalism

MANILA, Philippines — Shifting the form of government to federalism would help address internal migration that strains the resources of highly urbanized cities, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte said yesterday.

Belmonte said federalism, if properly implemented, would provide opportunities for the people.

“Ideally, according to the principles of federalism, there will be equal development in the entire Philippines. Those who live in poor areas would no longer need to look for opportunities in the city,” she said.

“This is important so the people in the provinces will no longer go here in Metro Manila,” she added.

Belmonte noted that city government officials were doing their best to address the problems of the residents.

But she said the increasing population due to internal migration strains the resources of the local government.

“In seven or eight years’ time, Quezon City’s population has increased by more than 400,000. It’s not that we’re lacking, but the migrants are increasing,” she said.

Belmonte has been actively taking part in raising public awareness about federalism.