A Better Tomorrow

Let us celebrate LOVE month:

Love for the environment
Love for the people
Love for planet!

Happy Valentines!

National Framework for Physical Planning: how to prevent unplanned and haphazard urbanization

The NFPP notes a shift from rural resource-based environmental problems to urban-based man-made environmental problems. A measure to develop control and urban growth management (UGB) is to delineate land available for or restricted frim settlement expansion. This measure involves identifying and defining specific areas of land that can be used fir settlement expansion and those that are restricted from such expansion.

By delineating these areas, urban growth can be managed effectively, ensuring that developmentis controlled and sustainable. This measure helps to prevent unplanned and haphazard urbanization, which can lead to various environmental problems in urban areas.

That is tough, but not hopeless - maximizing what's in our control.

HELLo October!

The choreographed exit of Martin Romualdez as the House Speaker through his resignation doesnt mean ACCOUNTABILITY. This is just an intermission of a big show. Being someone in power for the last 3 years, he has become more influential and wicked. Let us wait for a more polished live entertainment to unfold.

TRAFFIC CONGESTION
Whats driving traffic in Manila?

Traffic congestion is a big and growing problem especially in highly urbanized cities like Manila City. There are a lot more private cars and motorcycles, but infrastructure isn’t scaling at the same pace with urbanization. The insufficient & inefficient public transport options where rail/train lines are few; many proposed extensions & projects are delayed due to right-of-way issues, etc.

Poor enforcement & traffic management contributes to traffic congestion. Although there are regulations in place, implementation is inconsistent like buses straying from lanes and lack of clearing of obstructions. There is a lack of foresight or planning where urban (transportation) planning has lagged behind growth; many roads or transit projects were not anticipated early enough. Infrastructure and transportation doesn’t always anticipate future demand.

Some junctions, major thoroughfares get overloaded and chokepoints are everywhere. Also, freight or truck traffic in peak times worsens flow. The behavioral/cultural factors significantly contribute to this kind of problem. Poor discipline in lane usage, illegal parking/loading, inconsistent obeying of traffic rules contribute. Also people prefer private car usage.

According to the TomTom Traffic Index (2023), Metro Manila had the worst traffic among 387 metro areas globally. On average, it takes 25 minutes and 30 seconds to travel 10 kilometers in Metro Manila. That’s slower than many other similarly dense metros. Drivers spend on average 240 hours per year on the road, of which about 117 hours are in slow-moving, peak traffic.

Its 2025 already! Why just now? Another perfect timing for: "I invoke my right against self-incrimination" or maybe "I invoke my right to remain silent!" Let the live entertainment begin.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia disclosed that the Comelec will issue today, September 8, 2025, show-cause orders requiring the 43 contractors to explain within five days why they should not be held liable for giving prohibited donations to candidates and political parties. https://tinyurl.com/mpbmuzxf | via ONE News

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! JB CM, Estela Selin, Salam Peace Kalilintad, Enp Ferdinand Porol, Ericmar Bartolome, Aivy John Siano Blando, Nicole Paquet, Oumou Amadou Dicko, Girma Tamiru, Abu Fewzan Ibnu Mohammed, Mohamud Mohamed Qoorey, Laura Chinjane, Nelson Dennis, Celendron Elen, Thierry Sengendraza, Wollofire Geleta, Ericmar Bartolome, Glenda Destar Belisario, Assefa Aman, Ensene Angesa, Bamlak Gedefaw, Canami Alima, Panam Paloma, Naah Brian, Rey Navarro, Abubakar Usman, Bol Bul Deng Thieu, GreenEnt Prises, Ralph John Abad, Ishtiaq Hussain, Froky Buenaflor, Li Lou, QA Jason, HA RO LD, Arrieta C. Alan, የአካባቢ ተቆርቋሪዎች, Damien Caballer, Yirga Tegegn

STATIONARY POPULATION PYRAMID
Profiles of Population Pyramid

A stationary population pyramid has a rectangular or box-like shape, showing a stable population.

The base and middle of the stationary pyramid are almost equal in width which means birth rates are low, but not falling dramatically. The top of the pyramid is moderately wide which means many people living into old age (longer life expectancy). Its overall shape looks more like a rectangle than a triangle which reflects low fertility and low mortality rates.

Stationary Population Pyramid may imply that population growth is stable or very slow. It has a balanced age distribution which means dependency ratio is more manageable compared to expansive pyramids. Governments need to prepare for a gradual increase in elderly population, but not as severe as in constrictive pyramids.

This kind of population pyramid is common in developed and developing countries that have achieved demographic transition to near-replacement fertility.

Therefore, a stationary pyramid shows a population that is neither rapidly growing nor shrinking, with fairly even numbers across age groups.

CONSTRICTIVE POPULATION PYRAMID
Profiles of Population Pyramid

A constrictive population pyramid is the opposite of the expansive type and is usually shaped like an inverted triangle or beehive, sometimes called the "beehive pyramid".

This features a narrow base which means low birth rates and fewer children being born. The middle is wider which means large proportion of working-age adults (15–64 years). It has a noticeable top section which means more elderly people due to longer life expectancy. This kind of population pyramid reflects low fertility and low mortality.

Constrictive pyramid may imply that population growth is slow, zero, or even negative. With the aging population, this may imply higher demand for pensions, healthcare, and elderly services. Workforce may shrink in the future, leading to labor shortages. This kind of population pyramid is typical in developed countries with advanced healthcare, good education, and higher living standards.

Therefore, the constrictive pyramid reflects an aging, shrinking, or stable population, with fewer young people and more elderly.

"EXPANSIVE POPULATION PYRAMID"
Profiles of Population Pyramid

A population pyramid is a graphical illustration that shows the distribution of various age groups in a population, typically divided by s*x (males on the left, females on the right). Its shape tells a lot about the population’s growth, demographic trends, and development stage.

An expansive population pyramid is the classic triangle-shaped profile. It shows a population with wide base meaning very high proportion of children and youth (0–14 years); narrow top meaning very few elderly people, showing high death rates and low life expectancy; sides slope sharply inward as age increases and this kind of population pyramid indicates high fertility rates and high mortality rates, especially in older age groups.

With this kind of graphical presentation, this may imply that population is growing rapidly. There is a large dependency ratio qhere many children depending on fewer working-age adults. This is common in developing countries with limited healthcare, lower living standards, and less access to education due to lack of resources like schools, health services, and jobs.

The graphical illustration below is an example of expansive population pyramid that reflects a young, fast-growing population with high birth rates and short life expectancy.

POTPOT/PEDICAB

Pedal bike “potpot” or pedicab is a small-scale non-motorized public transport service in the Philippines that uses pedal-powered tricycles, locally called potpot because of the sound of the horn. This uses a regular bicycle attached to a sidecar, usually carrying 1–3 passengers and is common in small towns, barangays, and narrow streets where motorized tricycles or jeepneys can’t easily pass and operated mostly by low-income earners as a source of livelihood.

While "potpot" provides job for those without capital for motorized vehicle, it faces a bigger challenge in the transporation sector. Low income for drivers, pose health risks like physical strain, exposure to pollution and heat because it is labor-intensive, competition from e-trikes and motorized tricycles, often considered unsafe for long trips (especially at night or in highways) and lack of government support and regulation in many areas.

Based on the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160), LGUs have the power to regulate and grant franchises for tricycles, pedicabs, and other public transport within their jurisdiction. However, some cities and municipalities ban potpot/pedicabs on national highways, main roads, or CBDs because they are considered a traffic hazard or unsafe.

The pedal bike “potpot” industry is a grassroots, informal transport sector in the Philippines. It plays a vital role in providing cheap, eco-friendly, and accessible transport, especially in smaller communities. In some areas, potpot become part of their cultural identity and enjoyed and appreciated by many tourists. However, modernization and competition from motorized vehicles pose challenges to its survival unless LGUs integrate it into sustainable transport planning.