Transforming towns into cities

The recent facilitation of cityhood in the Philippines, particularly through Republic Act No. 11683, has simplified the process for municipalities aspiring to become cities. This is especially true for those generating at least P100 million in 2000 constant prices for two consecutive years. In addition, the implementing rules and regulations issued exactly a year ago provide specific rules that apply to the conversion and an illustration of the “portability” of converting a municipality’s national tax allotment from the municipal to city category.

Urbanization, economic development, and enhanced governance are inherent in the transformation from a municipality into a city. Cities inherently attract economic activities, businesses, and investments, fostering growth and job opportunities. This transition often brings about improved infrastructure, better access to services, and specialized governance structures, contributing to overall development and a higher quality of life.

Last week, I presented a National Research Council of the Philippines study on converting Ubay in Bohol into a science city, emphasizing the transformative potential of science and technology as a “development escalator.” The audience consisted of Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado, Bohol Rep. Vanessa Aumentado, local government officials, business groups, national agency representatives, and representatives of other sectors. Also present were the secretaries of the House of Representatives committees on science and technology, and on Visayas development.

The idea that science and technology can be used in Ubay as a “development escalator” for municipalities converting into cities stemmed from the example of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, which strengthened its successful bid to become a science city in 2000 in view of the numerous science research centers in the municipality. Similarly, Ubay has several national research, science, and technology centers in animal science, agriculture, water, irrigation, and fisheries akin to the situation in Muñoz.

The municipality of Ubay has eyed cityhood since 2017 when E. Aumentado, then a congressman, filed a bill to convert the municipality into a science city. V. Aumentado has refiled the bill in the present Congress.

A glaring lack in Ubay is institutions of higher learning. For this reason, the municipal government is poised to establish a community college, to augment the existing small private college. However, this incremental approach would take years, perhaps decades, before the critical mass of scientists, researchers, academics, and professionals needed to drive city development could be generated. For this reason, our study recommended the establishment of a “multiversity.”

This idea is a departure from the standard definition of multiversity as a huge university with many component schools, colleges, or divisions and widely diverse functions. The idea of a multiversity being introduced here is for the co-location of multidisciplinary detachments from various universities in a single compact shared facility in Ubay.

The concept of a “multiversity hub” emerges as a pragmatic solution to accelerate the transformation process, particularly for municipalities aspiring to be science cities like Ubay. This involves leveraging existing facilities to host programs from three or more prestigious universities in the region, allowing immediate access to quality higher education within the community.

The establishment of a multiversity hub begins with inviting high-prestige universities to offer their best programs. In the case of Ubay, these could include the University of the Philippines in the Visayas, the Eastern Visayas State University, the Bohol Island State University, and even the San Carlos University in Cebu. Memoranda of agreement could outline collaboration terms, ensuring mutual commitment to success. Existing facilities are repurposed to expedite the hub’s establishment, minimizing the need for extensive construction.

Faculty members from partner universities travel to teach at the hub twice a week, following a logical framework and rotational schedule. This efficient use of resources ensures a diverse range of expertise. Beyond traditional academic functions, the multiversity hub actively engages with the local community through outreach programs, workshops, and partnerships with local businesses and NGOs.

Similar initiatives that innovate on the mix of campuses, facilities, pedagogic models, courses, faculties, and students to offer flexibility, capacity, inclusiveness, and responsiveness abound in South Asia and Africa. In the United States, a highly successful model is the Claremont Colleges in California which exemplifies the success of multiple institutions sharing resources while maintaining individual identities.

While income, population, and territory are vital for cityhood, science and technology contribute to innovation and productivity. The multiversity hub concept offers an innovative human resource development strategy for municipalities aspiring to become cities. It provides immediate access to diverse academic programs, fostering community growth and development.

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