CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Importance of connecting the Government and the People.

According to the World Bank, governance can be defined as the manner in which

power is exercised in the management of a countrys economic and social resources for

development. There are also three features of governance that was mentioned by the World

Bank and the three are as follows: (i) the form of political regime, (ii) the process by which

authority is exercised in the management of the countrys economic and social resources for

development, and (iii) the capacity of governments to design and implement policies and

discharge functions.

Good governance can also be linked to participatory development, human rights, and

democratization. It is also stated that the accountability of political and official elements of

the government includes: media freedom, transparent decision making, accountability

mechanism.

Governance may also be defined as the connection between the civil society and the

government. It is a fact that the civil society includes the community who are the major

contributor in shaping the society [McCarney, 2003].

We can say that good governance is the link that connects the People and the

Government. It is through good governance that community development prospers and with

this comes the formula for a countrys success. It is important to connect the People and the

Government through good governance for it allows the improvement of the whole society.
2.1.1 Participatory Approaches to National Development Planning (Asian Development

Bank)

Participatory development is a process through which stakeholders can influence and

share control over development initiatives, and over the decisions and resources that affect

themselves [ADB, 1996].

Participation ranges from superficial to deep from passive exchange of information

to full engagement. Stakeholders may be engaged in many ways; from merely informed that

development is happening to taking part in projects that serve to help them take charge of

their own development [Ondrik,1999]

In the Philippines, the Participatory development approach is also being practiced in

places such as Cordillera Highlands Agricultural Resource Management. This allows the

management to incorporate participation from different levels of the community. Starting

from the village level up to the provincial level, they promote active involvement in the

decision making process which evidently improved sustainability in their project. The

participatory approach not only improved the overall process of the management but it also

able to imbibe to the people as sense of ownership which makes them more concerned with

the project.

The integration of public participation and involvement in societal and other

important issues will give the people the right to feel that the Official residence of the

President is really owned by the people and it is really the Palace of the People. The sense of

proprietorship will inculcate a sense of care and concern to the Filipino People. This strategy

is a tool to boost nationalism and patriotism within the Filipino community.

2.2 Civic Places and its Role in Shaping the Community.

In each instance the term public space is used to designate a location which is (i)

designed, however minimally, such that (ii) everyone has the rights of access, (iii) encounters

in it between individual users are unplanned and unexceptional, and (iv) their behavior

towards each other is subjected to rules none other than those of common norms of social

civility. These defining conceptual elements can be combined with particularistic features and

functions of different locations to give rise to many concrete manifestations of public spaces,

ranging from privately owned but publicly used traditional five-foot way and modern atrium,

to publicly built administrative institutions, to open recreational parks [Scruton, 1984].

As defined by Scruton, public spaces are areas that allows free access to every

individual in the community. Its openness allows the symbiotic interaction between

individuals but this same characteristic also heightens the risk of encroachment or illegal

squatting in the area. This is why the design, availability and rules for accessibility of a public

space is very much important in every community.

According to Aristotle a free space occurs in a setting in which people can meet for

public talk and actively contribute to solving public problems. It is characterized by several

major components: a sense of shared bonds, a comfortable physical, social, and cultural

setting, a social network, engaging debate and dialogue, a participatory environment, a and a

potential for forming larger public networks and vision. If a free space exists, citizens can

learn group identity, self-respect, public skills, and the value of cooperation. This statement

shows that the importance of public space lies on its ability to allow the members of the

community to partake in the development and improvement of social interaction and

participation. The design of the public space is also of the same relevance since it defines the

physical comfort that the users need to be able to patronize the public space.
 Despite the clear significance of public space in the shaping of the community, it is

still evident that construction of public and civic space in the country is not successful in the

Philippines. According to Nathaniel Von Einsiedel, the unsuccessful public spaces such as

parks in the country roots from the alienated and foreign design basis of such public spaces. It

is true that most of the public spaces in our country are designed based on foreign ideals

which is why it does not speak to the taste of the Filipinos.

There is a need to reinvent the way that the public spaces in the Philippines are being

created. According to Nikitin, in order to restate the magnificent public spaces in a

community, the designer must address the following issues regarding civic places: (i)

working with local residents and stakeholders to come up with ideas to maximize the

utilization of existing public sector resources (ii) Reconceptualizing civic buildings as public

spaces and providing innovative programming (iii) encouraging and engaging in cooperative

planning around shared resources among diverse institutions; also known as cooperative

resource planning (iv) forming partnerships with other civic institutions to boost local

economies, maximize existing resources, and achieve beneficial community outcomes and

improved communication and interaction (v) looking for temporary uses and short-term

activities for institutions to meet the diverse needs of the community while capital funding is

scarce.

Connecting with the stakeholders of the civic place is the key to creating a public

space design. It is important the culture of the people is visible and that the approval of the

users are achieved in the design of the public space. This is qualities confirms that the public

space was designed by the people for the people.

2.3 The Dynamics of a Presidential Palace Malacaan

Power is why Malacaan Palace is many things: an Office, so that power may be

exercised; a home, for the comfort of them to whom it is given; a fortress, so that power may

be protected; a park, for the relaxation of the powerful; and a stage, for the projection of the

prestige and ritual on which the powerful thrive, and which feed their authority [Quezon,

2005]

Malacaan Palace is the Philippines Presidents official residence. It also serves as a

reception place where different political dignitaries are accepted by the government and it

also serves as the office of the president.

Reception Hall it serves the receiving area of the important guests of the palace. It is

the anteroom upon entering the State dining room of Malacaan. One of the most significant

features of this area are the portraits of all the presidents in the Philippines.

State Dining Room is mostly seen by the people from the Cabinet meetings that are

being held here. It has an extension which is called the viewing room. The State dining room

also accommodates the prominent guests and political dignitaries that visits the palace.

The Mabini Hall of Malacaan is used as the office of the Executive Secretary of the

President. It is also known as the Administration Building. The building was originally

designed as the office for the Commission on Budget. It was constructed after the World War

II.

The Rizal Hall of the Malacaan is prominent because of its grand scale and luxurious

design. It is considered as the ballroom space in Malacaan. The seal of the President of the

Philippines is also mounted on this area. The Rizal hall caters majority of the state dinners

and public oath takings.

 The Kalayaan Hall of the Malacaan Palace is the oldest structure in the Malacaan

Complex. It was originally the Executive Building where majority of the offices are situates

here and majority of the state functions also took place here.

The Bonifacio Hall is separated from the Palace proper. It originally serves as the

servants quarter during the American colonial period. It also housed the presidents office

from the previous administration Benigno Aquino III.

The Malacaan Park and the Bahay Pagbabago consists of the Recreational hall and

a Guest house. The recreational hall is known for its golf course. These two places are located

across the river from Malacaan. It is not openly accessible to the majority of the public but it

is only accessible to the elite group of the society.

The Presidential Study is the Executive Office of the Palace. It is the official

workspace of the president. There is also a small extension room in the Presidential study

which serves as the conference or meeting area for the President.

The Private Quarters houses the official residence of the President. The Bedroom

Suites are found in the Private quarters and these rooms are very much prominent because of

its known extravagant design. This also serves as the guest room of some of the most

esteemed people or delegates.

The Reception Room is where the chapel and private living room is located. This

room as originally used as the Presidential familys dining room.

Discotheque Music Hall this music hall was renovated during the Arroyo

administration. This was originally a disco that was constructed during the Marcos

administration.
 The Presidential museum and Library is the only place in the Malacaan complex

with an easy access to the public. It houses exhibits and memorabilia from the past

administrations.

2.4 Presidential Palace Safety and Security

The National Intelligence Security Authority of the Philippines area divided into two

groups. The first group is responsible for the safety and security of the President and other

government officials. The second group is responsible on the rebellious movements and they

work hand in hand with the Intelligent Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The Presidential Security Group is the group assigned on the protection of the

President of the Philippines and is or her immediate family, visiting Heads of State /

Government and other dignitaries as the President may direct.

The role of their organizations are as follows: (i) Presidential Escorts, (ii) Presidential

Guards, (iii) Headquarters and Headquartes Service Battalion, (iv) Security Battalion, (v)

Special Reaction unit, (vi) PSG Station Hospital, (vii) PSG Dental Dispensary, (viii)

Presidential intelligence Company, (ix) PSG Training School.

2.5 Roles and Powers of the President

2.6 Case Studies

2.6.1 Quezon city Master Plan of 1949 by Ar. Juan M. Arellano

After Manila served as Philippines capital through the years, the trade and commerce

industry in the metropolis prospered. The congestion and decline of Manila due t this

economic boom and due to the environmental deterioration of the city, it was proposed by
Former President Elpidio Quirino that it was already a high-time to relocate the capital city of

the Philippines.

Finally, in the year of 1949, under the signed Republic Act No. 333 of Former

President Elpidio Quirino, a new capital city was designed. Among the 16 cities that were

studied for the possibility of being the new capital city of the country, the old Quezon city

was the chosen place for the relocation of the new metropolis of the Philippines. The new

capital will be comprised of Quezon city, some parts of Manila, Novaliches and San Mateo.

The 1949 Master Plan of the New Capital City was designed by Ar. Juan M.

Arellano. Prior to this Master Plan, President Manuel L. Quezon already had commissioned

A.D. Williams and Harry T. Frost for the planning of Quezon city. After World War II, the

city of Manila was destructed and it was not functional. This paved way for the decision of

President Manual Roxas for the selection of a new site for the Capital city of the country.

Even after the death of President Manuel Roxas, the project for the creation of the new

metropolis was still continued by the administration of President Elpidio Quirino.

The goal for the plan and design of the new metropolis was to create a Mother City

that will serve the whole nation. With this in mind, the Master plan will include commercial,

residential, government, educational and health institutions. The plan for the first 2 years of

the metropolis was to start the construction of the Executive center and the Government

buildings on Constitution Hill.

There are 6 centers for Government Buildings that are found in the new capital city

but the main units of the are composed of the Constitution Hill, the Executive Center and the

Business Center. These units forms a triangular space with the Constitution Hill on the

Northeast, the Executive center on the South and the Business center on the West.
 The Constitution Hill was envisioned to be the most grandeur from the 3 main units.

This is because it was supposed to house the 3 branches of the government of the Philippines

(Executive, Legislative and Judicial).

The Executive Center will be 6.5 kilometer away from the Constitution Hill. This

accessibility gives the inter-government a more efficient relation. This center will house the

executive departments of the government.

The Government Business Center will accommodate government corporations for

their business and financial activities.

The Scientific Government Center that houses the different scientific bureaus of the

government is planned to be accessible to the public. In this way, the different displays from

the bureaus will be promoted to the public.

The Metropolitan Police will house the Military camps of Camp Murphy and the

Camp Crame.

The Government Enterprise Center is created for the Industrial zone of the city. Tis

will house different corporations and it will be located on the North eastern part of the city.

The new Malacaan Palace will be located on the North Avenue of the new capital.

2.7.2 The New Administrative Capital of Malaysia : Putrajaya.

Kuala Lumpur is now known as the old capital of Malaysia. The new Administrative

Capital of the country is Putrajaya. In 1997, the official relocation of the capital city of

Malaysia was made possible by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

The frequent flooding and congestion of the old capital city was said to be the main

reason for the relocation of the capital. Another reason is due to the high population rate of

Chinese businessmen within the old capital city.

 The creation of the new administrative capital is a means to provide the increasing

need of spaces for government offices. This is also Myanmars means to create a better urban

environment for the people. The new capital will also promote a stronger and united

Malaysian dominated community.

The New Administrative Capital selections was said to follow the following factors

in the site selection process:

1. The cost and means of Land Acquisition

2. Deliberated site location with a margin for growth.

3. Accessibility to means of transportation and to the main transportation

networks.

4. Favorable environmental conditions.

5. Possible positive economic benefits from neighboring areas.

6. Minimal negative impact to local communities.

The concept for the planning of Putrajaya is based on the Garden and Intelligent city.

The goal was to create a healthy physical environment for the people. The following

considerations were applied in the planning and designing of the new capital:

1. Efficient Accessibility to facilities, services and place of work

2. Integrated Neighborhood and community atmosphere

3. Close to nature and Urban ecology

4. Ample Amenities for recreation

5. Dynamic, lively and economic vitality

6. A city with identity and character

7. Conducive Urban Environment for quality & healthy Life-style

8. Creating the City Image & Character