QC to replace Manila as Philippines' Capital

A bill proposing Quezon City to replace Manila as the capital of the Philippines is still being studied by the congress.

Ifugao Representative Teddy Baguilat strongly resisted the idea.

"Despite heavy traffic and flooding in Manila, the centuries-old city is irreplaceable to stand as the country's capital," Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat said.

"I think it is a ridiculous idea to transfer the capital from centuries-old Manila to somewhere else. A capital is the city that stands as a country's bastion of political power, culture, and history to the world," Baguilat added.

"It usually is the oldest seat of government of a country where the president stays. It also usually is the most popular globally. And that is Manila," he noted.

As an alternative, Baguilat suggested Quezon City as a new government center.

He issued his statement after Senator Antonio Trillanes IV proposed the Senate Bill no. 655 that will create a new commission that will study if Manila can remain as the country's capital.

Trillanes said that Manila, just like every other place within the National Capital Region (NCR) lacks of proper urban planning: antiquated drainage system,traffic congestion,hazardous air quality,illegal settlers.

However, for Speaker Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte it will be very difficult for the government to create a new capital aside from Manila.

"Abroad, the word Manila is thought to apply to Metro Manila rather than Manila itself. The city of Manila, I think, is the capital officially but the popular notion Metro Manila is the capital," he said.

"When you put up a new government center, you expect state employees to be there and when they are there, it becomes metropolis. And that is a super long process," Belmonte argued.

"I think it's possible to happen but personally, I won't give up Metro Manila. I think we should put more money into fixing it up and add more infrastructures," he insisted.

As Former Mayor of Quezon City before, Belmonte is hoping that the government should focus on the betterment of Manila and not on changing Manila as the country's capital.