In planning for the future it is imperative for any community to have a vision in order to guide its development efforts and provide its people with perspective of what lies ahead. We hear an awful lot of vision like Global City, Industrial Corridor, Economic Tiger of Asia and so on and so forth. But we believe that a vision which sounds ambiguous hardly makes a sense and it only makes every one guessing, what it is that we really want to be?

Previous administration had laid down the foundation on which we can build our future and shape our cities landscaped. Former Mayor Bayani "BF" Fernando has built a house and the incumbent Mayor Maria Lourdes C. Fernando will make it a home, or so they say.

In our desire to push our city into higher level of achievements, we thought of coming up with a vision of making Marikina a Little Singapore. There are those who asked, Why Singapore? And we answered back, Why not Singapore? We know it’s a tail order but we take cognizance of the fact that Rome was not built in a day; and, in the same vein, Marikina River was transformed from its battered condition years a go into what it is today when hardly anybody believed that it could be done.

MISSION STATEMENT

In line with this vision, we shall plan and facilitate the physical development of Marikina into a Cosmopolitan City of Excellence. We shall adopt a careful, sensitive and advance planning to guide our cities physical growth. We believe that nothing just happens it has to be planned.

BASIC ELEMENTS

Marikina takes an integrated approach in pursuit of its vision. I includes the following:

• Ensuring good access between and among different areas of the city.

It is said that the key word to planning is Access. Access to work, residence, transportation system, recreational centers and others.

• Defining spaces

Land uses shall be reasonably and clearly define to allow judicious, practical and maximum use of city’s limited land resource. This has already been addressed by the city’s Updated Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

MORE CHOICES FOR PLAYGROUND AND RECREATION

There shall be more playground, green spaces and recreational centers all over the city to provide people relief from the dense of urban living. More recreational and sport activities where people can participate in shall be introduced.

DISTINCTIVE HISTORICAL AND HERITAGE ZONE

While continuing to cast an eye to the future, the city also realizes the need to preserve its rich architectural and cultural heritage. There shall be buildings that shall be identified for conservation. Character and ambiance of historic building shall be enhanced while retaining their spatial quality.

GREENING THE CITY

Greening is not just about planting trees. It is about planting the correct trees—strategically positioned shrubs, trees and flowers to soften and add color to our surroundings. Lush greenery shall provide natural barrier between pedestrians and traffic as well as shield people from sun and dust and, thus make walking pleasurable.

A City that Works

Our vision is not only a city of beauty and character, but also a city that works.

This means more than just providing basic infrastructures. As our economy provides the engine to raise quality of life, we shall take a pro-active role in creating the right environment for a thriving business hub that can hold its own in the global playing field. As jobs are provided closer to homes, Marikina shall no longer be known as a "bedroom community".

Transforming Marikina River into a Vibrant Waterway

Water has influenced the growth of many great cities in the world such as HongKong, Jakarta, Bangkok and Singapore. Because water offers many opportunities to people, it has to be considered when planning a city. We shall ride on the crest of rehabilitating the Marikina River. Like Singapore’s Clarke Quay it shall become Marikina’s signature image—a picturesque place for sports, leisure and entertainment.

Making Memorable Spaces

There shall be areas to be identified, designated or maintained as areas of identity.

This includes cultural and historical zone, avenue of heroes, Dutch Olandes among others.

• Using the city’s physical setting to its best advantage. Marikina is strategically located—it is in the heart of Metro Manila and a gateway to Rizal. These are some of its strategic advantages, which the city shall use to the hilt.

MOVING ON...

Marikina’s Concept plan for the next ten years is aimed at keeping pace with the changing needs. Its emphasis is on sustaining economic growth and giving Marikenos a better quality of life. Specifically, it seeks to make Marikina :

• A place for living
• A place for work and business
• A place for history
• A place for socializing
• A place for entertainment
• A place for arts, culture, tourism and sports
• A place for education
• A place for religion

OUR KEY PROGRAMS

More Access

There shall be new roads and transport facilities for greater citywide mobility and accessibility. A network of bikelanes – which shall connect schools, factories and government institutions shall be ushered in. Once fully operational, we expect a great number of commuting public moving around the city on bicycles.

Mobility of people and business shall be further enhanced by the construction of the Metro Manila Urban Transport Integration Project (MMUTRIP) by the DPWH. This shall involve street-level interchange for buses, jeepneys, LRT lines. It shall primarily improve transport access in outer areas east of Marikina.

Efforts shall be made to create a more livable environment for all. No new squatters shall be welcomed. Accessibility in and around the city shall make it more comfortable for the local residents. Health facilities and services shall be expanded and made available for all.

A Center for Arts, Culture, Sports, and Tourism in the Eastern Metropolitan and Rizal

Arts and cultural enthusiasts can look forward to new venues for arts and cultural exhibitions. Teatro Marikina (theater arts) shall be the fulcrum of those exciting and educational events. The city shall continue to spruce-up the Marikina Sports Complex to meet the discriminating taste of its target clientele, particularly private companies. Staging of organized water activities like rowing, shall be encouraged in the Marikina River Cultural activities peculiar to Marikina such as Angkan- Angkan at Rehiyon- Rehiyon and a host of other exciting activities shall create a magnet for tourism.

Knowledge Center

We shall encourage the establishment of more learning institution which academic concentration is on Information Technology and computer related courses. Kalayaan College will soon take shape in the Riverbanks Center. The proliferation of these institutions shall create a new identify for the city—A knowledge center in the metropolis.

E-Government

We shall undertake to upgrade government operation through the application of electronic system. (Information Technology). This system shall provide total computerization for government operations and thus, replace the traditional manual system of the local government. When this technology is in place, people can transact business with the government via computers.

In closing, let me quote what Mayor MCF has said with reference to urban planning. She said and I quote "What we envisioned to do is not just about building a efficient city. It is also about building neighborhoods that make happy families.

As we continue to plan for our future let us see what each of us can do today to make a difference in the quality of our life in the future. I will require the collective effort of all Marikenos to continue ideas and make those ideas work " (and off quote)

We know it is easier said, than done, but to be also know to make the things work:  Work hard, work well and work together. A simple formula to make our mission possible.