Cities Alliance Project Output

City Development Strategy Report for

Cavite City 9 Mar 2009
City Development Strategies in the Philippines: An Enabling
Platform for Good Governance and Improving Service Delivery
P098173

This project output was created with Cities Alliance grant funding.

City Development Strategies Report

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CDS 2008
CITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES IN THE PHILIPPINES:
AN ENABLING PLATFORM FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE AND
IMPROVING SERVICE DELIVERY
The CDS3 Project is a technical assistance grant funded by Cities Alliance and
supported by the Asian Development Bank,Japan International Cooperation
Agency, UN-Habitat, and the World Bank. The CDS project was developed
in response to the need to introduce an integrated, comprehensive, and
participatory approach to urban management. Founded on the principles
of livability, bankability, competitiveness and good governance, the CDS
process guides the cities in the preparation of comprehensive, longterm development strategies, where the city government involves local
stakeholders in the entire strategic planning process-assessment, visioning,
strategy formulation and project prioritization and capital investment
planning-through a series of consultations.
The World Bank implemented the pilot phase in 1999 with 7 cities. Since
then, the League of Cities of the Philippines carried out 2 succeeding
phases, which expanded the program to 58 cities in all. In 2001, the
Up-scaling Poverty Focused City Development Strategies (CDS2) covered
31 new cities. In 2005, the project CDS in the Philippines: An Enabling
Platform for Good Governance and Improving Service Delivery (CDS3)
added 15 new cities to the roster of CDS cities in the Philippines. Under
the preparation grant for the City Development and Investment Project,
the League also carried out CDS for 5 new cities. As of 2008, 64 of 120 cities
have participated in the CDS program, including 3 cities assisted by ADB
under the Cities without Slums Project (Caloocan, Quezon and Taguig),
and the 3 cities that participated in the Local Environmental Planning and
Management Project of the UNDP (Lipa, Cagayan de Oro and Tagbilaran).

Cavite City
C AV I T E , P H I L I P P I N E S

CIT Y DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIES IN
THE PHILIPPINES

An Enabling Platform
for Good Governance and
improving Service Delivery

Hon. BERNARDO S. PAREDES, Mayor

Hon. Dino Carlo R. Chua City Vice-Mayor

For more information on CDS, you may visit http:www.cdsea.org

Contact
Mayor
Address
Tel. No.
Fax No.
URL/Web

Hon. AMORICO R. ALVAREZ, City Councilor

Hon Rolando L. Villegas, City Councilor

:
:
:
:
:

Hon. Bernardo S. Paredes

City Hall, 4100 Cavite City
(046) 431-0462
((046) 431-1655
www.cavitecity.gov.ph

Hon. MICHAEL R. PONSONES, City Councilor

Atty. ROSALINO T. SISMAET, JR., City Administrator
Engr. DANILO D. CAMPOSANTO, City Engineer
Mr. JESUS I. BARRERA, City Planning and Development Coordinator

C I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T S T R AT E G I E S R E P O R T

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SELECTED URBAN KARTE INDICATORS

Page

Selected Urban Karte IndicatorS

Introduction

Situation Analysis

Livability
Competitiveness
Bankability

Good Governance

Vision and City Brand

Project Profiles

INDICATORS
2000 population
A1

Total Population (2005)

A2

Population Growth Rate (2000-2005)

A11

Administrative Land Area (Ha)

A7

Urban Population (projected 2005)

A15

Number of Households (2000)

11

Primary (agriculture, fishery, forestry)

Secondary (manufacturing, mining, processing)

Tertiary (services, banking, insurance, wholesale/retail

trade)

99,367
107,099
7.78%
339.31 Ha
not available
21,342

What are the Citys geographical advantages?

A18

10

CAVITE

Estimated Employment by Industry Sector

A17

Strategies

Regional/provincial center

Accessibility to an airport of international standards

Accessibility to a port of international standards

Others (please describe)

L1

% of HH with access to piped water (level 3)

L11

Cohort survival rate for elementary (2005)

L14

Cohort survival rate for high school (2005)

L30

Infant mortality rate

19.01%

L41

Crime solution efficiency rate

90.16%

L45

Number of HH living in informal settlements

C18

Building permits issued within the last 5 years

85.58%

3,539

Residential

752

Commercial

132

Agricultural

Institutional

18

C29

Unemployment rate (2001 vs. 2005)

C32

% population with undergraduate degree

13.10%
4.28%

B3

% Total Debt Servicing Needs to Total Regular Income

4.80%

B4

% of savings to expenditures (2007)

FP2 - B

Per Capita Allocation to Health Services

FP2 - D

Per Capita Allocation to Education Sector

G2

Average Number of days to issue a NEW business

license (w/ complete documents)

25 minutes

SELECTED URBAN KARTE INDICATORS

INDICATORS
G2

Average Number of days to RENEW business license

(w/ complete documents)

G7

% of local revenue/total revenue

G11

Frequency of meetings of the Local Development

Council (LDC)

INTRODUCTION
CAVITE
25 minutes
28.20%
2/year

Fishing is the primary industry of the city with its almost 190 kilometers of
coastline and varying fishing grounds that includes estuarine and brackish
water. The city is most known for its mussel and oyster production.
Only a few places in the country could lay claim to being a cradle of
history, and Cavite City is one of them. Many of the countrys historical
events transpired here, from the Cavite Mutiny of 1872the so-called
Grandmother Event of the Philippine Revolutionthe unfurling of the
Philippine Flag, the birthplace of the Philippine National Anthem and the
first transatlantic flight, which set into motion Philippine aviation.

ADDITIONAL DATA (from the survey)

1

Poverty Incidence

Performance of elementary children in NAT

66.37%

Performance of high school children in NAT

35.68%

Percentage of participation of Local Special Bodies

(LSBs) in public hearings conducted

Presence of ELA (if yes, proceed to questions 6 and 7;

if no, proceed to question 8)

Percentage of Projects implemented from ELA

derived from CLUP

Percentage of Projects implemented from AIP

derived from ELA

No. of registered small and medium industries

(2001 vs 2005 for all types)

Number of barangays practicing segregation at

source and served by an MRF

10

Percent of waste generated diverted from disposal

11

Presence of sanitary landfill

6 | C ity of Cavite

Cavite City is located at the northern tip of Cavite Province, 34 kilometers

south of Manila and bounded by three bays--Caacao, Manila and Bacoor
and the Municipality of Noveleta.

Yes

Unknown to many, Cavite City maintains territorial jurisdiction over

Corregidor Island the last bastion of the countrys military defense
against the Japanese invaders during World War II. This island just off the
shore of Manila Bay has been declared a national historical site and one of
the countrys main tourist attractions.

53.32%
none

Fort San Felipe, one of the countrys remaining Spanish forts, is likewise
located in the city. Now integrated within a military installation, it has been
converted into a museum that houses several naval artifacts depicting the
citys rich maritime and naval history.

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B
C

A. Pampanga
B. Tarlac
C. Ilocos Sur
D. Zambales
E. Cavite
F. Batangas
G. Metro Manila

Luzon

D
G
E

Visayas

Cavite City
Cavite City

Cavite City

Kawit
Noveleta
Rosario
Tanza

Mindanao
Ternate Naic

Imus
Gen Trias
Dasmarias

Trece Martites

Carmona
Gen M. Alvarez

Manila Bay

Indang
Magallanes

Gen Emilio Aguinaldo

Alfonzo

2 | C ity of Cavite

Bacoor

Silang
Amadeo
Mendez Nuez

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 4 | C ity of Cavite

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Situation Analysis
LIVABILITY
Cavite City is a relatively peaceful community owing to a high crime
solution rate of 98%. Cohort survival rates are also comparatively high at
86.92% at the elementary level and 89.46% at the secondary. Literacy rate is
also high at 97.39%. The average household income in 2000 was P117,559
(NSO 2000), with the poverty threshold at P17,437.00 which is way above
the regional standard. Minimum wage for non-agricultural labor in 2006
was Php 267 per day.
67% of the citys population is eligible for the labor force (2005). The annual
employment rate is around 87%. Majority of the residents are engaged in
fishing, owing to the fact that the City has 35 coastal barangays. Although
the city itself has limited employment opportunities, the problem of
unemployment is negated by the availability and quality of its human
resources who seek employment in nearby cities and municipalities.
There are 11 public pre-schools, 12 public elementary schools, 2 national
high schools, one (1) state university and one (1) public technical school
in the city. Complementing these public institutions are 28 private preElementary schools, 25 privately owned elementary schools, 11 private
high schools, two (2) private colleges and one (1) private vocational. This
contributes to the high cohort survival and literacy rates of its residents.
Health institutions in the city consist of one (1) district hospital, two (2)
military medical facilities, five (5) Rural Health Units, a City Lying-In Hospital
and two (2) private medical facilities
The percentage of households living with security of tenure is 83.43%
while 16.57% are living in informal settlements. Those with access to piped
water (level 3) comprise 79.15% of the population. There is a problem
though with regard to saltwater intrusion into the aquifer making the
groundwater unsafe for drinking. Close to 100% of households have
access to toilet facilities (94.51%) and power (93.125%). Telephone service
is available from two companies.
Since the city is surrounded by water, keeping the water clean is a major
challenge. The establishment of many illegal fish pens aggravates this
problem. Moreover, there is also the difficulty of patrolling the waters for
illegal fishers and fishermen from other areas due to lack of manpower and
equipment.

6 | C ity of Cavite

Inadequate training for fishermen on appropriate fishing methods has

resulted in low production and the low quality of the mussels and oysters
produced.
COMPETITIVENESS
The city has a cumulative land area of 1,238.63 has, 68% of which is under
the jurisdiction of the national government. These include Sangley Point,
a navy installation established by the U.S. Government in WW II, Fort San
Felipe and the Islands of Corregidor.
The lack of available land for development is a drawback to the city in
attracting more entrepreneurs and businesses.
The wide expanse of sea totaling 1,800 sq. km and a coastline of 190 sq. km.
surrounds the city. Likewise, it has an estuarine area of 30.84 hectares along
Manila Bay and brackish water pond of 5.45 hectares located in Bacoor
Bay that could be utilized for aquaculture of mussels, oysters, bangus
(milkfish), lapu-lapu and sugpo (shrimps).
Cavite Citys proximity to Metro Manila and other commercial centers
makes its products accessible to other markets. This is complemented by
24 hour transport facilities that facilitate the transfer of goods to adjacent
markets.
The city is blessed to have a natural harbour in Caacao Bay. Natural
harbors have long been of great strategic and economic importance. This
was evident in the citys role in the Acapulco-Manila Galleon trade during
the Spanish period and the strategic locations of the military installation
such as Sangley Point and Fort San Felipe.
The city has no fish port and cold storage facilities for processing of its aquaculture products. The existing pier and seaport are located within military
bases and therefore inaccessible to the public. However, the issuance of
Executive Order No. 629 by the Arroyo Administration in June of 2007 is
anticipated to pave the way for the citys re-emergence as an important
player in the transportation of industrial goods within and outside the
country. This directive allows the Philippine Reclamation Authority to
convert Sangley Point into an International Logistics Hub which includes
an airport and seaport through the reclamation of portions of Bacoor and
Caacao Bay.
The local Tourism Council has developed a histo-cultural tour for students
and tourists to promote the citys historical sites. It has also institutionalized

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various festivals such as the Live Via Crusis during the Lenten season, the
Regada Festival during the Feast of St. John in June, the annual City Fiesta
every November and the Christmas Festival in December. While the council
is available and active, there is no Tourism Office to provide administrative
and operational support to expand these activities. There is also a lack
of tourism facilities, such as hotels or information centers that could be
utilized in promoting and disseminating vital information about Cavite.
Likewise, there is a need to rehabilitate and highlight existing historical
markers and monuments. At present, the City Government has undertaken
initial steps to strengthen its bid to promote its tourism potentials through
the construction of a Local Tourism Office.
BANKABILITY
Cavite is a Fourth-Class Component City, with a total income of Php225.06
million (2007). The internal revenue allotment (IRA) acounts for 75.2%
of the total income, while majority of local revenues are generated from
business income (5.2%), with permits and licenses, service income and
other sources jointly representing the balance.
The bulk of the City Governments expenditures go to maintenance and
other operating expenses 57.4%, followed by personnel services 43%; and
financial expenses 2.4%. The citys capital outlay expenditures represent
14.59% of the total budget for 2007.
The citys debt servicing capacity to total current income (regular
sources and IRA) amounts to 9.7% and the citys current assets total
to Php26,398,760.51 and total property, plant and equipment (net) is
Php188,287,441.22 or a total of Php214,686,201.73.
The present efforts of the local government is focused on intensified tax
collection, updating real property tax values, as well as improvement of front
line services through information technology. The city requires policies that
would enhance fiscal autonomy and improve tax administration system.
GOVERNANCE
The city government has a total 350 employees, of which 95% are
permanent, 2% are co-terminus, and 3% are casuals. Out of the citys
expenditure, 43% of it is allotted to wages of its personnel.
Cavite City is fortunate to have the active participation of its tourism
council and NGOs in all of its activities and projects. It has a functional
8 | C ity of Cavite

Local Development Council, with more than 20% NGO representatives

that meets twice a year to identify projects and programs that would be
undertaken on a yearly basis.
In order to increase participation of civil society and the business sector
in the affairs of the city government, there is a need to expand the
membership of other mandated councils, such as Local Health Board,
Local School Board, Local Finance Board, Nutrition Council, Gender and
Development Council, Council for the Protection of Children, Small and
Medium Enterprises Development Council, Peace and Order Council,
Disaster Coordinating Council,
Cavite City has a Legislative Agenda that complements the Executive
Agenda. This is developed in consultation with stakeholders and provides
legislative action on the Local Development Plan. Periodic barangay-level
consultations (at least 2 times a year) are also held to seek the stake holders
views and opinions. The city also has sufficient feedback mechanisms
in place that would disseminate and receive information to and from its
constituency through e-mail, billboards, information and complaint desks,
radio station and local newspapers. Public documents such as transaction
records and contract documents are accessible to the public.
Front line services for Business and Licensing and Real Property Tax
Assessment (RPTA) are already computerized. Although more aspects of
the city governments operations still await development in technology
that could help increase levels of efficiency and transparency.
Finally, there is a great need for aggressive implementation of the
Comprehensive Land and Sea Use Development Plan (CLUP) and
other Zoning Ordinances to properly manage the direction of the citys
development.

Vision & City Brand

A seaport community by the bay, that positions itself as a premier
histo-cultural destination in the CALABARZON and Mega Manila
area and as a major aquaculture products provider by 2015
As the Historic and Culture City by the Bay the city aims to optimize its
proximity to the seas by developing its seaport community and in the
process capture a significant share of the market for mussels and oyster
production in Cavite province and its adjacent areas. This will establish
Cavite City as the center of aquaculture production.

City Development Strategies Report

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It is also envisioned to be the center of local and foreign investments

by opening the market for trade and commerce, export processing
zones, shipbuilding/repair; and industrial parks, to promote employment
opportunities and a gateway that would link the city through roads and
bridges to the metropolis.

A. To construct a production or market-related facilities

B. Creation of other support services for aquaculture
BANKABILITY
Fiscal Policy Program - Formulation of ordinances that aims to enhance
its financial policies and improve Capital Investment Program

Finally, it seeks to utilize the richness of its history as an enticement for

local and foreign tourists to visit the city and relive our libertarian struggle
in the site where it all started.

Capital Investment Program - To improve business structures and

facilities to improve local revenue extraction

Strategies

GOOD GOVERNANCE

Towards the realization of its vision and development goals, the city has
outlined several strategies that would shape the priority interventions of
the city.

Mainstreaming Tourism Development Plan - To strengthen and

institutionalize tourism as a focal point of the citys development

Livability
Resettlement Community Program - To organize informal settlers
in a resettlement community.
Barangay Water System Program - To safeguard and protect the citys
limited source of potable water

Project Profiles
The following priority projects were identified to push the city towards meeting
its Vision:

Social Service Program - To provide a continuing and sustainable social

service program and projects

1. Project Title

: Proposed Conversion of Sangley Point Into An

International Logistics Hub

Environment Protection Program - To formulate policies and programs

that would protect the environment and maintain its cleanliness for
future generations

Estimated Cost

: $3 billion

Target Beneficiary

: The entire city population and other neighboring

municipalities

Project Description

: The proposed project has four (4) major physical

components:

Urban Transport System (Mobility) - Link-up with Metro Manila and

other local destination by land and sea transport.
COMPETITIVENESS
Tourism Infrastructure Program - To build tourism-related
infrastructures/facilities
Marketing and Tourism Promotion Program - To market the citys
rich history and culture to heighten its peoples awareness as well as
prospective local and foreign visitors
Coastal and Sea Use Plan - To formulate a zoning or sea utilization plan
for the three bays
Aquaculture Development and Marketing Program - To formulate
Aquaculture Development Marketing Program
10 | C ity of Cavite

a) An enabling Reclamation Component

that would provide expansion area for the
city that would provide areas for export
processing zones, industrial, commercial,
institutional and tourism purposes;
b) An International Container Port that would
cater to shipment and transshipment of
industrial inputs and finished products in
the industrial estates of Southern Luzon
and to serve the needs of an international
logistics hub;

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 c) An International Seaport;
d) An International Airport that would
decongest the Ninoy Aquino International
Airport, opening up another gateway for
people, their skills, expertise and goods;

An inseparable part of each component

is the provision of a Causeway that would
connect the Manila-Cavite Coastal Road to
Cavite City.

the back of Cavite City Hall within the proposed

heritage district of the city.
4. Project Title

: Proposed Construction of Centralized Bus

Station at Ciudad Nuevo

Estimated Cost

: Php4 million

Target Beneficiary

: The entire city population and other neighboring

municipalities

Project Description

: Construction of a Centralized Bus Station for

transport companies operating and catering
to the transportation needs of commuters and
movement of goods from the neighboring
municipalities of Cavite City

2. Project Title

: Proposed Construction of Jetty-Park at Canacao

Bay

Estimated Cost

: Php45 million

Target Beneficiary

: The entire city population and other neighboring

municipalities

5. Project Title

: Proposed Construction of Slaughter house at

Ciudad Nuevo

Project Description

: A solid structure built out into the sea or along

the shore to be utilized initially for docking
services of ferries with commercial spaces and
other port facilities. It is envisioned to serve as
a Regional Ferry Transport System within the
Olongapo and Bataan areas. An initial P15 million
has already been allocated by the Philippine
Ports Authority through the intervention of
Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza. The
construction is about to begin.

Estimated Cost

: Php5 million

Target Beneficiary

: The entire city population and other neighboring

municipalities

Project Description

: To construct a new slaughterhouse within

the New Cavite City Public Market that would
incorporate five (5) approaches: (a) planning;
(b)construction and management; (c)fiscal
management; (d)technical and (e)legal aspects

6. Project Title

: Proposed Construction of Ciudad Nuevo

Convention Center and Hotel at the old site of
the public market

: Php50 million

Estimated Cost

: Php50 million

Target Beneficiary

: The entire city population, students, researchers

and tourists

Target Beneficiary

: The entire city population and other neighboring

municipalities, tourists, business entrepreneurs

Project Description

: The construction of a Galleon replica is

envisioned to serve as a museum that
would highlight the citys historical past as a
transshipment port during the heydays of the
Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade and to showcase
the early Caviteos ship-building and repair
skills. It would be located at the Caacao Bay, at

Project Description

: This project includes the development of a

multi-story building under a complex concept
with the following components: a parking level,
spaces for banks and commercial establishments;
convention center/function hall and a hotel to
stimulate commercial, business, tourism and
service activities in the city.

3. Project Title

: Proposed Construction of Galleon Replica at

Canacao Bay

Estimated Cost

12 | C ity of Cavite

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7. Project Title

: Proposed Construction of Porta Vaga Fishermens

Wharf

10. Project Title

: Proposed Construction of a Water Sample

Treatment Center

Estimated Cost

: Php50 million

Estimated Cost

: Php2.5 million

Target Beneficiary

: The entire citys population,

entrepreneurs, tourist.

business

Target Beneficiary

: The entire city population and other neighboring

municipalities

Project Description

: It would house several food establishments that

would serve fishery products thereby providing
additional livelihood opportunities for the
coastal communities.

Project Description

: The project consists of putting up a center that

would test the quality of water and the presence
of water borne bacteria. This would help ensure
the cleanliness of the citys water supply. (The
treatment center is envisioned for testing the
potableness of the citys water. Mussels and
Oysters thrive on sea and the city has a different
plan on protecting its environs)

8. Project Title

: Proposed Construction of Rosario Isthmus Board

Walk

Estimated Cost

: Php10 million

Target Beneficiary

: The entire city population, tourists.

Project Description

: Development of the Rosario Isthmus and

Bacoor Bay area. It requires dredging along
Bacoor Bay; construction of a Boardwalk and
easement; construction of shops and business
establishments for rent; construction of a floating
seawater fountain; development of water sports
and recreational activities and construction
of a floating hotel and restaurant. The city has
already completed Phase I of the project.

11. Project Title

: Proposed Livelihood Center for Aqua Culture

By-Product Production

Estimated Cost

: Php3 million

Target Beneficiary

: The citys entire population.

Project Description

: This is envisioned to house facilities that would

facilitate the production of aquaculture byproducts, such as canned or bottled mussels,
mussel chips and the likes.

12. Project Title

: Proposed Fish Port at Barangay 11, Sta Cruz,

Cavite City

Estimated Cost

: Php2 million

Target Beneficiary

: The citys entire population.

Project Description

: The port would cater to municipal fishermen

adjacent to the city and provide an avenue
for marketing and selling their produce. (Note:
Barangay 11 is located along the coastlines of
Manila Bay, on the west side of the city)

9. Project Title

: Proposed Construction of Training and Research

Center for Aqua Culture Products

Estimated Cost

: Php5 million

Target Beneficiary

: The entire city population and other neighboring

municipalities, researchers, students.

Project Description

: The construction of a community-based Fisheries

and Aquaculture Research and Development
Center, Livelihood Training Center, Fish and
Aquatic Produce Processing and Preservation
Facility and Seashore Tourism Program. This
is envisioned to increased fishery products
productivity, ensure quality of the products and
provide the needed know-how and modern
fishing technology for the fisherfolks.

13. Project Title

: Proposed Aqua-Culture Port at Barangay 10-A

Estimated Cost

: Php1.5 million

Target Beneficiary

: The entire city population

14 | C ity of Cavite

City Development Strategies Report

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Project Description

14. Project Title

: The construction of port that would house the

aquaculture harvest of the citys fishermen,
specifically oysters and mussels and an avenue
for marketing and selling their produce. (Note:
Barangay 10-A is located along the coastlines of
Bacoor Bay, on the east side of the city)

(c) The renovation of the city halls frontage to

keep up with the modern times and become
a showcase for tourists and other visitors.
16. Project Title

: Construction of a Solid Waste Management

Processing Facility

: Proposed Ice Plant/Cold Storage at Ciudad

Nuevo

Estimated Cost

Target Beneficiary

: The entire citys population

Project Description

: This project involves the installation of

machineries and equipment for solid waste
reduction and conversion of the residual wastes
into a value-added product line such as hollow
blocks, tiles and other similar materials. This also
entails the development of the sorrounding
site.

Estimated Cost

: Php3 million

Target Beneficiary

: The entire city population

Project Description

: This would provide the citys fishermen access

to an ice-plant that would keep their produce
from spoilage thus increasing their profits.

15. Project Title

: Proposed Development of Portions of San

Roque District and Samonte Park into a Heritage
District

Estimated Cost

: Php30 million

Target Beneficiary

: The entire citys population and prospective

tourists

Project Description

: The project consists of three (3) components:

(a) The improvement and rehabilitation of the

citys only park fronting the City Hall. The
site of the park is significant as far as history
of the city is concern. Underneath it are the
ruins of the Porta Vaga Wall and one of the
Spanish churches in the old Cavite Puerto,
Teatro Caviteo, where the Philippine
Flag was first unfurled, was also situated
there. Thereby, there is a need to improve
not only the physical appearance of the
park but likewise highlight the historical
noteworthiness of the area.
(b) The mounting of a replica of the Porta Vaga
Wall at the entrance of Samonte Park to
simulate what it looked like in the past.

16 | C ity of Cavite

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 18 | C ity of Cavite