Trillanes pushes for transfer of seat of government

Senator Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes IV filed a bill pushing for the creation of a commission that will study and review if there is a need to retain Manila and the National Capital Region as the country's capital and the seat of national government.

"The relocation of a nation's capital and government center is a monumental task. National capitals occupy a commanding position in the stature and development of nations. They are the visible symbols of national pride and a defining vehicle for national progress," said Trillanes.

Trillanes, however, explained that decades after the city of Manila and NCR became the country's capital and the seat of national government in 1976, "lack of urban planning as manifested by antiquated drainage systems, traffic gridlocks, hazardous air quality, and compounded by the proliferation of illegal settlers make Metro Manila a place with only little space for development."

"Metro Manila is a capital which could hardly stand proud in the ranks of national capitals throughout the world," Trillanes lamented.

"To better administer government transactions, as well as spur development in other areas of the country, it is high time to comprehensively study the potential of relocating and transferring of the national capital and permanent seat of the national government of the country from the City of Manila and the National Capital Region," the young senator added.

Under Senate Bill No. 655, an ad hoc study commission will be established to look into this. The body will be composed of three commissioners, who will be appointed by the President, and a secretariat that will provide technical and administrative assistance to the commission.

Within two years after its commencement, the commission will submit to the President a report of its study and recommendations.