In the last two issues of this column, I delved on urban problems in relation to migration. I noted that the cities of Tacloban, Ormoc and Calbayog are net out-migration areas while Maasin is a net in-migration area.

The question then is: are the populations declining in these cities experiencing out-migration? The answer is: No.

It might be surprising to know that cities with out-migration trends by the thousands per year are still experiencing increases in population. The answer is in the birth rate which exceeds the rate of out-migration.

Here are some facts. From 1995 to 2000, the population of Tacloban City increased by 11,329, Ormoc City by 10,294, Calbayog City by 17,971 and Maasin City by 7,417.

Let’s look at the percentage increase in population over 5 year period from 1995 to 2000. Tacloban City is 6.8 percent, Ormoc City is 7.1 percent, Calbayog City is 13.9 percent and Maasin is 11.6 percent.

The implications of these data are aplenty. Obviously, the regions capital, Tacloban City is the slowest growing city in terms of population increase, while Calbayog City is the fastest growing city.

Expectedly, the urban problems besetting Calbayog could be greater than those confronting Tacloban.
Again it might come as a surprise that we often hear (or experience) more urban problems in Tacloban 

Again the culprit is not population growth but the function of the city (and probably the ability of the city government to adequately respond to urban problems).

Having the largest commercial area, the most number of schools, the most number of hospitals and the largest airport undoubtedly give Tacloban a unique function in the region and thereby make it prone to urban problems.

The challenge for Tacloban is how such problems can be transformed into opportunities.
Ways must be found to turn such functions into “markets” which will generate revenues for the city, create jobs, increases incomes and make the quality of life better.
The relatively low rates of pupation growth coupled with improved functionality are plus factors that can lead to the reduction of urban problems.

It will take a lot of thinking and planning but as I mentioned in last week’s column, it should start with an accurate understanding of urban problems.