The case of Metro Manila, Philippines by Junio M Ragragio Contact: Source: CIA factbook Junio M Ragragio No. 80 Boston Street, Cubao, Quezon City, Philipines Phone: +632 721-8370; +632 411- 5988 Fax. +632 721-8370 E-mail:
[email protected] I. INTRODUCTION: THE CITY A. THE URBAN CONTEXT 1. National Overview Figure 1: Map of the Philippines In 2000 the total population of the Philippines was 76,498,735. The population has increased by 2.36 per cent annually since 1995. The average population density at the national level was 260 people per km2 with the National Capital Region (NCR), otherwise known as Metro Manila having the highest population density at 15,617 persons per km2. The total land area of the Philippines is 294,554 km2. In the same census year, the national annual average family income and expenditure were estimated at PhP144,506 (US$2,890)1 and PhP119,276 (US$2,385), respectively. The annual per capita poverty threshold was set at PhP13,916 (US$278). About 34.2 per cent of the total household population or 5.2 million families live below the poverty threshold. On average, each household has 5 to 6 members. 2. The Physical City Metro Manila has a land area of 636 km2 accounting for approximately 0.2 per cent of the country’s total land area. The metropolis is divided into 4 districts with 12 cities and 5 municipalities. The second district is the largest accounting for about 40 per cent of the total land area. The first district is the smallest at 6 per cent Urban Slums Reports: The case of Manila, Philippines comprising only the City of Manila.