|
| color_border = white
| color = white
| size = 290
| foot_montage = Clockwise from top left: [[Ortigas Center]], [[Mandaluyong]] skyline, [[Quezon Memorial Shrine]], [[Museum of the Filipino People]], [[Ayala Avenue]] and [[Cultural Center of the Philippines]]
}}
{{see also|History of Manila}}
{{Further|Capital of the Philippines}}
[[File:Spanish_province_of_Manila_map.png|thumb|200px| Spanish map of the Province of Manila]]
A historical province known as [[Manila (province)|Manila]] encompasses the former [[History of the Philippines (900-1521)|pre-Hispanic]] kingdoms of [[Kingdom of Tondo|Tondo]] and [[Kingdom of Maynila|Maynila]]. It became the capital of the colonial Philippines, with [[Manila]] ([[Intramuros]]) serving as the center of colonial power. In 1898, it included the City of [[Manila]] and 23 other municipalities. [[Marikina|Mariquina]] also served as the capital from 1898-1899, just as when the sovereignty of the Philippines was transferred to the [[United States]]. The province was dissolved and most of it was incorporated to the newly created province of [[Rizal]] in 1901.
Since the Spanish colonial period, [[Manila]] was considered as one of the original global cities. The [[Manila galleon]] was the first known commercially traveled trade route that sail the Pacific for 250 years, bringing to [[Spain]] their cargoes of luxury goods, economic benefits, and cultural exchange.
[[File:BurnhamPlanOf-Manila.jpg|thumb|left|The Burnham Plan of Manila.]]
During the American period, at the time of the [[Commonwealth of the Philippines|Philippine Commonwealth]], American [[architect]] and [[urban design]]er [[Daniel Burnham]] was commissioned to create the grand Plan of Manila to be approved by the Philippine Government. The creation of Manila in 1901 is composed of the places and parishes of [[Binondo]], [[Ermita]], [[Intramuros]], [[Malate, Manila|Malate]], Manila, [[Pandacan]], [[Quiapo, Manila|Quiapo]], [[Sampaloc, Manila|Sampaloc]], [[San Andres, Manila|San Andres]], [[Paco, Manila|San Fernando de Dilao]], [[San Miguel, Manila|San Miguel]], [[San Nicolas, Manila|San Nicolas]], [[Santa Ana, Manila|Santa Ana de Sapa]], [[Santa Cruz, Manila|Santa Cruz]], [[Santa Mesa]] and [[Tondo, Manila|Tondo]]. Meanwhile, the towns and parishes of [[Caloocan]], [[Las Piñas]], [[Marikina|Mariquina]], [[Pasig]], [[Parañaque]], [[Malabon]], [[Navotas]], [[San Juan, Metro Manila|San Juan del Monte]], [[Makati|San Pedro de Macati]], [[Mandaluyong|San Felipe Neri]], [[Muntinlupa]] and the [[Taguig]]-[[Pateros, Metro Manila|Pateros]] area were incorporated into the province of [[Rizal]]. [[Pasig]] serves as its provincial capital.
During the war, [[President of the Philippines|President]] [[Manuel L. Quezon]] created the City of Greater Manila as an emergency measure, merging the cities of Manila and Quezon City, along with the municipalities of [[Caloocan]], [[Las Piñas]], [[Marikina|Mariquina]], [[Pasig]], [[Parañaque]], [[Malabon]], [[Navotas]], [[San Juan, Metro Manila|San Juan del Monte]], [[Makati|San Pedro de Macati]], [[Mandaluyong|San Felipe Neri]], [[Muntinlupa]] and the [[Taguig]]-[[Pateros, Metro Manila|Pateros]] area. [[Jorge B. Vargas|Jorge Vargas]] was appointed as its mayor. Mayors in the cities and municipalities included in the City of Greater Manila served as vice mayors in their town. This was in order to ensure Vargas, who was Quezon's principal lieutenant for administrative matters, would have a position of authority recognized under international military law. The City of Greater Manila was abolished by the Japanese with the formation of the Philippine Executive Commission to govern the occupied regions of the country. The City of Greater Manila served as a model for the present-day Metro Manila and the administrative functions of the Governor of Metro Manila that was established during the Marcos administration.
<!-- Commented out: [[File:EDSA Revolution pic1.jpg|thumb|Thousands of people in [[EDSA (road)|EDSA]] during the peaceful [[People Power Revolution]].]] -->
On November 7, 1975, Metro Manila was formally established through Presidential Decree No. 824. The Metropolitan Manila Commission was also created to manage the region.<ref name="PD824" /> On June 2, 1978, through Presidential Decree No. 1396, the metropolitan area was declared the National Capital Region of the Philippines.<ref name="PD1396">{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.ph/1978/06/02/presidential-decree-no-1396-s-1978/ |title=Presidential Decree No. 1396, s. 1978 |publisher=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines |accessdate=22 September 2015}}</ref> When Metro Manila was established, there were four cities, [[Manila]], [[Quezon City]], [[Caloocan]], [[Pasay]] and the thirteen municipalities of [[Las Piñas]], [[Makati]], [[Malabon]], [[Mandaluyong]], [[Marikina]], [[Muntinlupa]], [[Navotas]], [[Parañaque]], [[Pasig]], [[San Juan, Metro Manila|San Juan]], [[Taguig]], [[Valenzuela, Philippines|Valenzuela]] and [[Pateros, Metro Manila|Pateros]]. At present, all of these municipalities except for one have become an independent charted city, only Pateros remains as a [[Municipalities of the Philippines|municipality]].
President [[Ferdinand Marcos]] appointed his wife [[Imelda Marcos]] as the first governor of Metro Manila. She launched the [[City of Man]] campaign. The [[Cultural Center of the Philippines]], Metropolitan Folk Arts Theater, [[Philippine International Convention Center]], the [[Lung Center of the Philippines]], [[Philippine Heart Center]], the Kidney Center of the Philippines and the [[Coconut Palace]] are all constructed precisely for this purpose. The City of Man campaign was discontinued when the Marcos were ousted from power after the [[People Power Revolution]].
[[File:EDSA Shrine front view.JPG|thumb|left| The [[EDSA Shrine]] in [[Ortigas Center]] that originally serves as a memorial to the [[People Power Revolution]].]]
After the 8 years of dictatorship, President Marcos was overthrown by the people at a peaceful revolution in [[EDSA (road)|EDSA]] in February 1986, where they stayed there for three days. The movement was known as the [[People Power Revolution]] and made headlines such as "the revolution that surprised the world".<ref name="Gandhi">{{Citation |last=Kumar |first=Ravindra |last2= |first2= |publication-date=|title=Mahatma Gandhi at the Close of Twentieth Century|publication-place= |publisher=Anmol Publications PVT. LTD. |isbn=81-261-1736-2 |page=168 |url=https://books.google.com/?id=lTNpstqGlAMC&pg=PA168&dq=EDSA+Revolution |accessdate= 2007-12-02 |year=2004}}.</ref>
==Geography==
{{see also|Geography of Manila}}
[[File:MarikinaRiverBankShoesjf9425 22.JPG|thumb|[[Riverbanks Center]] at [[Marikina River]], [[Marikina]].]]
Metro Manila is located in the southwestern portion of [[Luzon]]. The region lies along the flat [[Alluvium|alluvial]] lands extending from the mouth of the [[Pasig River]] in the west to the higher rugged lands of Marikina Valley in the east. The region is geographically divided into 4 zones: the Coastal Margin, Guadalupe Plateau, Marikina Valley, and the Laguna Lowlands. The Coastal Margin that faces the [[Manila Bay]] possesses resources for offshore fisheries and fishpond development. The various [[land reclamation|reclamation projects]] in the area are meant for mixed-use urban development. The Guadalupe Plateau is the most adaptable to urban development activities not only because of its solid geographical foundations but also because of its existing infrastructure links with the rest of Luzon. The Marikina Valley has fertile land suitable for crop cultivation while the [[Marikina River]] provides water for industrial uses and discharge. The Laguna Lowlands is not only suitable for [[agriculture]] and [[aquaculture]] but also for industrial activity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dirp3.pids.gov.ph/ris/pdf/pidsdps9903.pdf |title=Governance and Development: Case Study of Metro Manila |publisher=Philippine Institute for Developmental Studies |date=February 1999 |accessdate=March 8, 2015 }}</ref>
The [[Las Piñas]]-[[Parañaque]] Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA) was declared as a critical habitat by the [[Government of the Philippines]] in 2007<ref name="lppchea">{{cite web |url=http://sites.wetlands.org/reports/ris/2PH006_RIS_2013.pdf |title=Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) – 2009-2014 |publisher=[[Wetlands International]] |accessdate=July 4, 2014}}</ref> and was listed by the [[Ramsar Convention]] as a Wetland of International Importance in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-pubs-notes-annotated-ramsar-16085/main/ramsar/1-30-168%5E16085_4000_0__ |title=The Annotated Ramsar List: Philippines |publisher=[[Ramsar Convention]] |accessdate=July 4, 2014}}</ref> LPPCHEA is composed of the [[Freedom Island]] in [[Parañaque]] and the Long Island in [[Las Piñas]] that covers 175 hectares and features a mangrove forest of eight species, [[Mudflat|tidal mudflat]]s, secluded ponds with fringing salt-tolerant vegetation, a coastal lagoon, and a beach.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/450729/scitech/science/metro-manila-s-secret-wildlife-sanctuary-and-why-it-might-disappear-soon |title= Metro Manila's 'secret' wildlife sanctuary –and why it might disappear soon |publisher=''[[GMA News and Public Affairs|GMA News Online]]'' |date=March 11, 2015 |accessdate=March 11, 2015 }}</ref>
=== Military and national security ===
[[File:35th National Reservists Week 10.jpg|thumb|The General Headquarters Building of the [[Armed Forces of the Philippines]].]]
The headquarters of the [[Armed Forces of the Philippines]] is located at [[Camp Aguinaldo]], along with the [[Department of National Defense (Philippines)|Department of National Defense]], in Murphy, Quezon City. Aside from Camp Aguinaldo, other military bases situated in the region are [[Camp Atienza]] and [[Fort Bonifacio]].
The [[Philippine Army]] has their headquarters at [[Fort Bonifacio]], [[Taguig]]. The [[Villamor Air Base]] in [[Ninoy Aquino International Airport]] is the home to the headquarters of the [[Philippine Air Force]] while the headquarters of the [[Philippine Navy]] is located at [[Roxas Boulevard]], [[Malate, Manila|Malate]], [[Manila]].
The [[Philippine Coast Guard]] has their headquarters at [[Port Area, Manila|Port Area]], [[Manila]]. The Coast Guard NCR District has its headquarters in Manila and has another Coast Guard Station in [[Pasig]]. It also has a base in [[Taguig]] and maintains several detachments located in Navotas, [[Parañaque]], Tangos, Vitas, Manila North Harbor, Manila South Harbor and the [[Cultural Center of the Philippines]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.coastguardncr-centralluzon.com/coast-guard-manila/ |title=Coast Guard District NCR – Central Luzon |publisher=[[Philippine Coast Guard]] |accessdate=May 11, 2015 }}</ref>
In 2012, the [[AFP Joint Task Force-National Capital Region]] was launched to ensure peace and stability in Metro Manila, bearing the same function of the deactivated [[National Capital Regional Command (Philippines)|National Capital Regional Command]], although it operates on a much smaller size than its predecessor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.philstar.com/metro/2012/07/12/826806/new-afp-task-force-launched |title=New AFP task force launched |author=Alexis Romero |publisher=''[[The Philippine Star|PhilStar.com]]'' |date=July 12, 2012 |accessdate=March 7, 2015 }}</ref>
== Demographics ==
{{Philippine Census
| title=Population of the<br>National Capital Region
| 1903=
| 1918=
| 1939=
| 1948=
| 1960=
| 1970=
| 1975=
| 1980= 5925884
| 1990= 7948392
| 1995= 9454040
| 2000= 9932560
| 2007= 11553427
| 2010= 11855975
| 2015= 12877253
| footnote=Source: Philippine Statistics Authority<ref name="2010 Census">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov.ph/data/sectordata/2010/2010CPH_ncr.pdf|title=2010 Census of Population and Housing: National Capital Region|publisher=National Statistics Office of the Republic of the Philippines|accessdate=6 April 2012}}</ref><ref name="NCR PDF Census">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov.ph/sites/default/files/attachments/hsd/pressrelease/National%20Capital%20Region.pdf|title=National Capital Region. Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010|publisher=National Statistics Office of the Philippines|accessdate=22 December 2012}}</ref>{{PH census|2015}}}}
The National Capital Region has a population of {{nts|12877253}} according to the 2015 national census. Its total urban area, composing of the urban agglomeration which refers to the continuous urban expansion of Metro Manila into the provinces of [[Bulacan]], [[Cavite]], [[Laguna (province)|Laguna]] and [[Batangas]] has a population of {{nts|24123000}}.<ref name=Demographia /> It is the most populous region in the Philippines, the [[List of metropolitan areas in Asia|7th most populous metropolitan area in Asia]], and the [[List of urban areas by population|3rd most populous urban area in the world]].
The most populous cities in Metro Manila are [[Quezon City]] (2,936,116), [[Manila]] (1,780,148), [[Caloocan]] (1,583,978), [[Taguig]] (804,915), [[Pasig]] (755,300), [[Parañaque]] (665,822), [[Valenzuela, Philippines|Valenzuela]] (620,422), [[Las Piñas]] (588,894), [[Makati]] (582,602) and [[Muntinlupa]] (504,509).
{{Largest cities of the Philippines}}
==Economy==
{{wide image|makati skyline mjlsha.jpg|1000px|[[Makati]] is the sixteenth most populous city in the Philippines. It is the prime business and commercial center of the country.}}
The National Capital Region accounts for 37.2% of the [[gross domestic product]] of the Philippines in 2013.<ref name="Tagasalo" /> Furthermore, it has the highest per capita GDP of the country at ₱183,747.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nscb.gov.ph/grdp/2012/perCapitaGRDP.asp |title=Per Capita GRDP |publisher=National Statistical Coordination Board |date=July 25, 2013 |accessdate=March 5, 2015 }}</ref> The employment rate of NCR is at 89.6% {{As of|2012|lc=y}}.<ref name="NCR Statwatch">{{cite web |url=http://www.nscb.gov.ph/stats/statwatch_ncr.asp |title=Statwatch - National Capital Region |publisher=National Statistical Coordination Board |date=December 10, 2012 |accessdate=March 5, 2015 }}</ref> According to [[Brookings Institution]], the 2014 share of output by industry in Metro Manila is as follows: trade and tourism: 31.4%, business/finance: 28.6%, local/non-market: 15.6%, manufacturing: 12.5%, transportation: 4.9%, construction: 4%, utilities: 2.8%, and commodities: 0.3%.<ref name="Brookings">{{cite web |url=http://www.brookings.edu/research/reports2/2015/01/22-global-metro-monitor |title=2014 Global Metro Monitor Map |publisher=[[Brookings Institution]] |accessdate=March 6, 2015 }}</ref>
[[File:Pic geo photos - ph=mm=manila=binondo=old manila downtown area - with escolta and pasig river; view from world trade exchange tower binondo -philippines--2015-0615--ls-.JPG|thumb|Old downtown district of Manila.]]
Metro Manila will add 1.85 million square meters of office spaces between 2015 and 2017 in the central business districts in [[Makati]], [[Taguig]], and [[Quezon City]] as more global firm such as [[Google]] and [[HSBC]] seeks to outsource business process in the Philippines.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/442781/economy/companies/global-firms-fuel-record-surge-in-manila-office-space |title=Global firms fuel record surge in Manila office space |publisher=[[GMA News and Public Affairs|GMA News Online]] |date=February 26, 2015 |accessdate=March 5, 2015 }}</ref> The vacancy rate for office spaces remains low, at less 3% in the year-end of 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://business.inquirer.net/187339/ph-real-estate-sector-to-stay-strong-in-2015 |title= PH real estate sector to stay strong in 2015 |publisher=''[[Philippine Daily Inquirer|INQUIRER.net]]'' |date=February 25, 2015 |accessdate=March 5, 2015 }}</ref> Manila remains as the least expensive capital city in the [[Asia-Pacific]] to occupy prime office space at an average rent of $22 per square meter per month.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.philstar.com/business/2014/08/24/1360994/our-countrys-hope |title=Our country's hope |publisher=''[[Philippine Daily Inquirer|INQUIRER.net]]'' |date=August 24, 2014 |accessdate=March 21, 2015 }}</ref>
Metro Manila makes it to the "Global Top 30" cities according to property consultancy firm Jones Lang Lasalle, citing its economic scale, vast population, large gross domestic product and BPO specialization as its competitive edge.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/123347/metro-manila-makes-it-to-top-30-megacities-list |title=PH real estate gets boost from BPOs, hospitality, gaming, retail |publisher=''Manila Standard Today'' |date=March 6, 2015 |accessdate=March 20, 2015 }}</ref> Furthermore, the region ranks 3rd for the top [[business process outsourcing]] global destinations, next to [[Bangalore]] and [[Mumbai]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ph.news.yahoo.com/metro-manila--cebu-among-top-global-bpo-destinations-094957693.html |title=Metro Manila makes it to top 30 megacities list |publisher=INQUIRER.net |author=Doris Dumlao-Abadilla |date=May 22, 2015 |accessdate=May 22, 2015 }}</ref> The region's retail sector remains strong, bolstered by remittances abroad, BPOs, and its tourism sector.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/03/06/ph-real-estate-gets-boost-from-bpos-hospitality-gaming-retail/ |title=PH real estate gets boost from BPOs, hospitality, gaming, retail |publisher=''Manila Standard Today'' |date=March 6, 2015 |accessdate=March 20, 2015 }}</ref>
Historically, the main business district of the metropolis was [[Binondo]], where commercial trading flourished since the 15th century. By the 1960s, economic activities shifted from [[Binondo]] to [[Makati]]. It transformed Makati it into one of the leading financial centers in [[Asia]]. Still, Binondo remained as a cultural and financial center because of the vast Chinese population residing and doing business in the area.
The minimum wage of Metro Manila is at ₱481 ($10.77) for non-agricultural workers and at ₱444 ($9.94) for those working in the agricultural sector,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/679669/dole-approves-p15-wage-hike-in-metro-manila |title= DOLE approves P15 wage hike in Metro Manila |publisher=''[[Philippine Daily Inquirer|INQUIRER.net]]'' |date=March 18, 2015 |accessdate=March 19, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.manilatimes.net/breaking_news/metro-manila-minimum-wage-now-at-p481/ |title= Metro Manila minimum wage now at P481 |publisher=''Manila Times'' |date=March 18, 2015 |accessdate=March 19, 2015 }}</ref> the highest minimum wage among all the [[Regions of the Philippines|17 regions]] of the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/679890/good-news-but-metro-manila-minimum-pay-up-by-p15 |title=Good news but… Metro Manila minimum pay up by P15 |publisher=''[[Philippine Daily Inquirer|INQUIRER.net]]'' |date=March 19, 2015 |accessdate=March 20, 2015 }}</ref>
=== Central business districts ===
[[File:Ayala avenue street scene.jpg|thumbnail|The [[Ayala Avenue]] of the [[Makati Central Business District]]]]
Prime business and commercial centers in the metropolis are [[Makati]], the country's premier financial center, [[Bonifacio Global City]], [[Ortigas Center]], [[Quezon City]], [[Manila]], [[Pasay]] and Alabang.
Metro Manila has plenty of mixed-use developments owned and developed by private corporations such as the [[Ayala Corporation]], [[Megaworld Corporation]] and [[SM Prime Holdings]]. [[Ayala Land]] owns and develops [[Arca South]] in [[Taguig]], [[Ayala Center]] in the [[Makati Central Business District|Central Business District]], Circuit Makati, and The Cloverleaf, Vertis North and [[U.P.–Ayala Land TechnoHub]] in [[Quezon City]]. Meanwhile, the [[Lucio Tan]] led Eton Properties owns and develops [[Eton Centris]] in the corner of [[EDSA (road)|EDSA]] and [[Quezon Avenue]] in [[Quezon City]].
[[Makati]], the [[List of Philippine cities and municipalities by population|sixteenth most populous city in the Philippines]], is the premier business and commercial center of the Philippines. The [[Makati Central Business District|Central Business District]] is the headquarters to most of the multinational corporations residing in the Philippines as well as the country's biggest commercial firms and BPO companies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.makeitmakati.com/about-the-city/working-in-the-philippines |title=Working in the Philippines |publisher=Make it Makati |accessdate=March 5, 2015 }}</ref> The Central Business District has an office stock of 1.1 million square meters of Grade A and premium office space.<ref name="Fort Bonifacio">{{cite web |url=http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/01/03/fort-bonifacio-eclipsing-makati-cbd/ |title=Fort Bonifacio eclipsing Makati CBD |publisher=''Manila Standard Today'' |author=Roderick T. dela Cruz |date=January 3, 2015 |accessdate=March 20, 2015 }}</ref> It is the home to the [[List of tallest buildings in Metro Manila|tallest skyscrapers in the region]] as well as [[List of tallest buildings in the Philippines|in the country]].
[[File:Bonifacio Global City 2.jpg|thumbnail|left|[[Bonifacio Global City]]]]
[[Bonifacio Global City]] is the newest business district of Manila and is the premier financial and lifestyle center of the metropolis. It is located in the north-western part of [[Taguig City]]. It used to be a military base known as [[Fort Bonifacio]]. The Bases and Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) privatized the property and its income from the sale was intended to be used for the modernization of the [[Armed Forces of the Philippines]]. Upon its privatization, the place was transformed it into a business hub featuring numerous tourist attractions such as [[The Mind Museum]], high-end shops, towering office skyscrapers, and luxurious lofts and condominiums. Bonifacio Global City will overtake the [[Makati Central Business District]] as the premier financial center of the country in the future. One of the reasons for it is that the [[Philippine Stock Exchange]] will relocate its headquarters in BGC. Also, it has more spaces and land for future developments. It is also the most active business district, generating over 50 percent of the growth in property market and has more available space for rent or lease and sale than Makati.<ref name="Fort Bonifacio" />
[[File:Ortigas Center Manila.JPG|thumb|[[Ortigas Center]], showing the portion of Barangay San Antonio in [[Pasig]].]]
[[Ortigas Center]] is the central business district located in [[Mandaluyong]] and [[Pasig]], with a small portion of it located in [[Quezon City]]. Landmarks in Ortigas include the [[EDSA Shrine]], [[Shangri-La Plaza (shopping mall)|Shangri-La Plaza]] and the [[SM Megamall]]. Furthermore, [[The Medical City]] has its main campus in Ortigas Center. Important financial and national institutions headquartered in Ortigas are the [[Asian Development Bank]], [[Union Bank of the Philippines|Union Bank of The Philippines]] and the [[National Economic and Development Authority]]. Ortigas is also the home to the headquarters of [[San Miguel Corporation]], [[Jollibee|Jollibee Foods Corporation]], [[Lopez Group of Companies]] and [[Meralco|The Manila Electric Company]].
The [[Araneta Center]], [[Eastwood City]], both located in [[Quezon City]] are the secondary business districts of Metro Manila. [[Araneta Center]] is a secondary business district developed by the Araneta Center, Inc. which is owned by the [[Araneta family]]. Shopping malls in the place include [[Gateway Mall (Araneta Center)|Gateway Mall]], [[Ali Mall]], [[Farmers Plaza]], Farmers Market and [[SM Cubao]]. Its centerpiece is the [[Smart Araneta Coliseum]], one of the largest indoor coliseums in Asia and the main venue of the [[Philippine Basketball Association]].
[[Eastwood City]], located at the Bagumbayan area of Quezon City, meanwhile is a state-of-the-art residential, commercial, business and entertainment complex developed by [[Megaworld Corporation]] in Bagumbayan, [[Quezon City]]. It is the first cyberpark in the Philippines.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/business/500-firms-earn-lot-they-pay-more-taxes |title=500 firms earn a lot, they pay more taxes |publisher=''Malaya Business Insight'' |author=Ma. Adora L. Mayo |date=May 8, 2015 |access-date=May 12, 2015 }}</ref>
=== Tourism ===
{{main article|Tourism in Manila}}
[[File:City of Dreams Manila view from the pool deck.jpg|thumbnail|The [[City of Dreams Manila]], a 6.2-hectare integrated resort and casino complex]]
Tourism is a vital industry of the region. Metro Manila is the main gateway to the Philippines. Trade and tourism represents 31.4% of share of NCR's output by industry according to [[Brookings Institution]].<ref name="Brookings" /> Metro Manila welcomed 974,379 overnight visitors in 2012, making it the top overnight tourist destination of the country.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/lifestyle/tourism/17067-metro-manila-is-top-overnight-tourist-destination-dot |title=Metro Manila is top overnight tourist destination–DOT |accessdate=September 13, 2013 |publisher=[[BusinessMirror]]}}</ref> [[Manila]] is visited by the majority of international tourists coming to the country registering a total of 3,139,756 arrivals in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitmyphilippines.com/images/ads/d99866e3b07afd904fb04c3c2aef018d.pdf |title=Visitor Arrival and Profile - 2012 |accessdate=September 13, 2013 |publisher=[[Department of Tourism (Philippines)|Department of Tourism]]}}</ref>
Metro Manila will open 4,612 hotel rooms this 2015. It is also expected to exceed the 3,500 annual addition of hotel rooms in the next two years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scmp.com/property/international/article/1734428/hotel-groups-race-tap-manila-gaming-scene |title=Hotel groups in race to tap Manila gaming scene |date=March 11, 2015 |accessdate=March 23, 2015 |publisher=''[[South China Morning Post]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/hotel-boom-in-manila-offers-hope-to-domestic-tourism/ |title=Hotel boom in Manila offers hope to domestic tourism |date=March 7, 2015 |accessdate=March 8, 2015 |publisher=''[[Manila Bulletin]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/447961/economy/companies/hotel-boom-in-manila-offers-hope-to-philippine-tourism |title=Hotel boom in Manila offers hope to Philippine tourism |author=Neil Jerome Morales |date=March 6, 2015 |accessdate=March 23, 2015 |publisher=''[[Manila Bulletin]]''}}</ref>
''[[Global Blue]]'' ranked Manila as one of the "Best Shopping Destinations" in Asia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globeshopperindex.com/en/destinations/Asia/Manila |title=The Globe Shopper Index |accessdate=2013-09-13 |publisher=[[Global Blue]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ph.news.yahoo.com/manila-11th-most-attractive-shopping-destination-asia-pacific-050612020.html|title=Manila 11th most attractive shopping destination in Asia Pacific –study |accessdate=March 26, 2013 |publisher=Yahoo! Philippines}}</ref> Metro Manila is home to some of the [[List of largest shopping malls in the world|largest shopping malls in the world]], three of which are in the top 10. [[SM Megamall]] in [[Mandaluyong]] ranks as the 3rd largest shopping mall in the world, followed by [[SM City North EDSA]] in [[Quezon City]] bagging the 4th place. Meanwhile, [[SM Mall of Asia]] in [[Pasay]] ranks as the 9th largest shopping mall in world. Other shopping malls in Metro Manila in the list of the largest shopping malls in the world are the Ever Gotesco Commonwealth Center, [[Festival Supermall]], [[Greenbelt (Ayala Center)|Greenbelt]], [[Market! Market!]], [[SM Aura Premier]], [[SM Southmall]] and [[TriNoma]].
[[Gambling in Manila|Gambling in Metro Manila]] has also become a popular tourist attraction in the region. Metro Manila is a popular gaming destination in [[Asia]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.macaubusiness.com/news/gaming/billion-paradise-manila-stakes-its-claim.html |title=Billion $ paradise – Manila stakes its claim |publisher=Macau Business |accessdate=28 August 2014}}</ref> rivaling other major gaming destinations such as [[Macau]] and [[Singapore]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/anc/04/05/08/pagcor-entertainment-city-all-about-entertainment-and-tourism|title=PAGCOR: Entertainment City is all about entertainment and tourism |accessdate=March 26, 2013 |publisher=ABS-CBNnews.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.philstar.com/business/727913/pagcors-entertainment-city-seen-draw-extra-1-m-tourists|title=Pagcor's Entertainment City seen to draw extra 1-M tourists |accessdate=March 26, 2013 |publisher=Philstar.com Business}}</ref> There are around 20 casinos in the metropolis,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/economics-and-morals-of-gambling/98559/ |title=Economics and morals of gambling |publisher=[[The Manila Times]] |accessdate=September 17, 2014}}</ref> featuring luxurious [[casino hotel]]s and [[integrated resort]]s. Its thriving local gambling market makes Manila attractive to casino operators.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/travel/article/glitzy-casinos-to-lure-more-tourists-to-manila |title=Glitzy casinos to lure more tourists to Manila |publisher=''The Malay Mail Online'' |accessdate=March 23, 2015}}</ref> Popular gaming destinations are [[Entertainment City]] in [[Bay City, Metro Manila|Bay City]], [[Parañaque]] which contains the [[City of Dreams Manila]] and [[Solaire Resort & Casino]], and [[Newport City, Philippines|Newport City]] in [[Pasay]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/pagcor-lowers-license-fees-for-operators/ |title=Pagcor lowers license fees for operators |publisher=''[[Manila Bulletin]]'' |accessdate=September 17, 2014}}</ref>
==== Intramuros ====
{{main article|Intramuros}}
[[File:FvfManilaCathedral9892 11.JPG|thumb|left|The [[Manila Cathedral]], established in 1571, in its eighth and current incarnation that was finished in 1958.]]
[[Intramuros]] is the historic center of Manila. Originally, it was considered to be Manila itself at the time when the Philippines was under the [[Spanish Empire]] colonial rule. Owing to its history and cultural value, Intramuros and [[Rizal Park]] are designated as flagship destination to become a tourism enterprise zone in the Tourism Act of 2009.<ref name="TourismAct" /><ref name="Paseo" /> Intramuros is managed by the Intramuros Administration (IA).
The architecture of Intramuros reflects the Spanish colonial style and the American [[neoclassical architecture|neoclassical architectural style]], since the Philippines was a colony of [[Spain]] and the [[United States]] before it was granted its independence in 1946. [[Kalesa]] is a popular mode of transportation in Intramuros and nearby places<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/621494/intramuros-cocheros-hooves-history-and-hope-for-a-fare-hike |title=Intramuros cocheros: Hooves, history and hope for a fare hike |publisher=''[[Philippine Daily Inquirer|INQUIRER.net]]'' |author=Jovic Lee |date=July 20, 2014 |accessdate=March 23, 2015}}</ref> such as [[Binondo]], [[Ermita]] and the [[Rizal Park]].
Popular tourist destinations in Intramuros include the Baluarte de San Diego, Club Intramuros Golf Course, [[Cuartel de Santa Lucia]], [[Fort Santiago]], [[Manila Cathedral]], [[Palacio Arzobispal]], Palacio de Santa Potenciana, Palacio del Gobernador, Plaza Mexico, Plaza de Roma, [[San Agustin Church (Manila)|San Agustin Church]] and its newest tourist attraction, the [[Ayuntamiento de Manila]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/02/22/new-tourist-attraction-to-open-in-intramuros/ |title=New tourist attraction to open in Intramuros |publisher=''Manila Standard Today'' |author=Jennifer Ambanta |date=February 22, 2015 |accessdate=March 23, 2015}}</ref>
Some of the country's oldest schools are founded in Intramuros, these are the [[University of Santo Tomas]] (1611), [[Colegio de San Juan de Letran]] (1620), and [[Ateneo de Manila University]] (1859). Only [[Colegio de San Juan de Letran]] (1620) remains at Intramuros; the [[University of Santo Tomas]] transferred to a new campus at [[Sampaloc, Manila|Sampaloc]] in 1927, and Ateneo left Intramuros for Loyola Heights, [[Quezon City]] (while still retaining "de Manila" in its name) in 1952. Other prominent educational institutions include the [[Manila High School (Intramuros)|Manila High School]] and the [[University of the City of Manila]].
== Human resources ==
=== Education ===
{{See also|List of universities and colleges in Metro Manila}}
[[File:UPDilimanjf3571 14.JPG|thumb|[[University of the Philippines Diliman]] is the flagship campus of the national university of the Philippines.]]
[[File:UST mainjf22.JPG|thumb|[[University of Santo Tomas]] is the oldest extant university in Asia which was established in 1611.]]
Since the colonial period, Manila has been the center of education. The [[University of Santo Tomas]] (1611), [[Colegio de San Juan de Letran]] (1620), [[Ateneo de Manila University]] (1859) are some of the educational institutions established during the colonial period. The country's national university, the [[University of the Philippines]], along with several [[State university and college (Philippines)|state colleges and universities]] calls the region as its home. Manila's [[University Belt]] in the form the largest concentration of higher education institutes in the Philippines, making Manila the center for [[Higher education in the Philippines|higher learning]] in the country.
Prominent secondary schools in Metro Manila include the [[Philippine Science High School]] in Diliman, Quezon City, the national [[science education|science school]] of the Philippines and the [[Manila Science High School]] in [[Ermita]], the forerunner of all the science schools in the country.
Primary and secondary education is in the region is governed by the Department of Education-National Capital Region (DepEd-NCR). Meanwhile, the higher educational institutions are under the [[Commission on Higher Education (Philippines)|CHED]]-National Capital Region.
NCR has the highest literacy rate among all the regions of the Philippines, with 99.2% in 2008. Literacy rate for males is at 99.0% while literacy rate for females is at 99.4%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nscb.gov.ph/secstat/d_educ.asp |title=Education |publisher=National Statistics Coordination Board |accessdate= March 6, 2015 }}</ref>
For the school year of 2008-2009, Metro Manila has 511 public elementary schools and 220 public secondary schools. There are 309 tertiary (public and private) institutions as of the year-end of 2009. For the said school year, enrollment in public elementary schools is at 1,219,333, public secondary schools at 661,019 and 687,096 for tertiary (public and private) institutions.<ref name="NCR Statwatch" />
=== Healthcare ===
{{See also|List of hospitals in Metro Manila}}
[[File:St Lukes Medical Center BGC.JPG|thumb|left|[[St. Luke's Medical Center|St. Luke's Medical Center – Global City]] in [[Taguig]], named as one of the best hospitals in the world.]]
Healthcare in NCR is mostly provided by private corporations. 72% of Metro Manila's hospitals are privately owned. {{As of|2009}}, the region has 179 hospitals. [[Quezon City]] has the most number of hospitals while [[Valenzuela, Philippines|Valenzuela]] and [[Pateros, Metro Manila|Pateros]] do not have any.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dirp4.pids.gov.ph/ris/dps/pidsdps1105.pdf |title=Profile of Private Hospitals in the Philippines |publisher=Philippine Institute for Development Studies |date=March 2011 |accessdate=March 6, 2015 }}</ref> In 2008, government health workers in NCR comprises 590 doctors, 498 dentists, 4,576 nurses, and 17,437 midwives. Furthermore, Metro Manila has 27,779 beds with a ratio of 2.47 per 1,000 population {{As of|2008|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/3%20Chapter1.pdf |title=The Philippine Health System at a Glance |publisher=[[Department of Health (Philippines)|Department of Health]] |accessdate=March 6, 2015 }}</ref> NCR has the lowest malnutrition rate among all the regions in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/hunger/86770-metro-manila-cities-malnutrition |title=Makati, Taguig lead NCR cities in fight vs malnutrition |publisher=Rappler |date=March 13, 2015 |accessdate=March 23, 2015 }}</ref>
The headquarters of the [[World Health Organization]] Regional Office for the Western Pacific, and the World Health Organization Country Office for the Philippines are in NCR. The main office of the [[Department of Health (Philippines)|Department of Health]], the national health department, is also in the region.
NCR is designated by the [[Department of Health (Philippines)|Department of Health]] as the pioneer of [[medical tourism]], expecting it to generate $1 billion in revenue annually.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.world-guides.com/asia/philippines/national-capital-region/manila/manila_medical.html |title=Medical Tourism, Treatments and Surgery in Manila |publisher=World Guides |accessdate=27 October 2014}}</ref> However, lack of progressive health system, inadequate infrastructure and the unstable political environment are seen as hindrances for its growth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.manilatimes.net/challenges-to-ph-medical-tourism/100820/ |title=Challenges to PH medical tourism |publisher=[[The Manila Times]] |author=Edgardo S. Tugade |date=June 1, 2014 |accessdate=27 October 2014}}</ref> Under the Philippine Medical Tourism Program, there are 16 participating hospitals (private and public) in Metro Manila with a total number of 6,748 beds {{As of|2013|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dirp4.pids.gov.ph/ris/dps/pidsdps1345.pdf |title=Medical Tourism in the Philippines: Market Profile, Benchmarking Exercise and S.W.O.T. Analysis |publisher=[[Department of Health (Philippines)|Department of Health]] |date=September 2013 |accessdate=March 6, 2015}}</ref> Five out of six hospitals in the country accredited by the [[Joint Commission|Joint Commission International]] are in the region, these are the [[Asian Hospital and Medical Center]], [[Makati Medical Center]], [[St. Luke's Medical Center|St. Luke's Medical Center – Global City]], [[St. Luke's Medical Center|St. Luke's Medical Center – Quezon City]] and [[The Medical City]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jointcommissioninternational.org/about-jci/jci-accredited-organizations/?c=Philippines |title=JCI-Accredited Organizations |publisher=[[Joint Commission|Joint Commission International]] |accessdate=March 21, 2015}}</ref>
East Avenue in [[Quezon City]] is the location of prominent national health centers: the [[Lung Center of the Philippines]], [[National Kidney and Transplant Institute]], and the [[Philippine Heart Center]]. Other national special hospital in Metro Manila include the [[Philippine Orthopedic Center]] in [[Quezon City]], and the [[National Center for Mental Health]] in [[Mandaluyong]]. The [[Philippine General Hospital]], the country's premier state-owned tertiary hospital is located at the [[Manila|City of Manila]]. The [[St. Luke's Medical Center]] which operates in [[Quezon City]] and [[Taguig]], is a private [[tertiary referral hospital]] cited as one of the best hospitals in the world.<ref name="stluke1">{{cite web |url=http://www.stluke.com.ph/home.php/p/News__Events/s/In_the_News/n/Hurray_for_St_Lukes |title=Hurray for St. Luke's! SLMC-GC chosen as one of the world's most beautiful hospitals |accessdate=February 22, 2013 |publisher=St. Luke's Medical Center}}</ref><ref name="ABS-CBN News">{{cite web |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/01/21/14/st-lukes-lands-list-worlds-best-hospitals |title=St. Luke's lands on list of world's best hospitals |accessdate=August 21, 2014 |publisher=ABS-CBN News}}</ref>
=== Public safety ===
==== Police and law enforcement ====
The [[Philippine National Police]] is responsible for law enforcement in the country. Its headquarters is located at [[Camp Crame]] in Santolan, [[Quezon City]]. The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is the regional branch of PNP that operates in NCR. Its headquarters is located at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig. Under the supervision of NCRPO, Metro Manila is divided into five police districts. The five police districts are the Northern Police District ([[Caloocan]], [[Malabon]], [[Navotas]], [[Valenzuela, Philippines|Valenzuela]]), Eastern Police District ([[Mandaluyong]], [[Marikina]], [[Pasig]], [[San Juan, Metro Manila|San Juan]]), Manila Police District ([[Manila|City of Manila]]), Southern Police District ([[Las Piñas]], [[Makati]], [[Muntinlupa]], [[Parañaque]], [[Pasay]], [[Taguig]], and [[Pateros, Metro Manila|Pateros]]) and Quezon City Police District ([[Quezon City]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ncrpo.pnp.gov.ph/index.php/about-us |title=National Capital Region Police Office |publisher=National Capital Region Police Office |accessdate= March 6, 2015 }}</ref>
Metro Manila has the highest rate of crime in the country in 2014, with 59,448 crimes reported (excluding crimes reported in barangay level) with 25,353 of these crimes committed against persons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/06/28/crime-incidents-up-by-44k-with-highest-rate-in-metro/ |title=Crime incidents up by 44k with highest rate in Metro |author=Francisco Tuyay |publisher=Manila Standard Today |date=June 28, 2014 |accessdate=March 6, 2015 }}</ref> Following criticisms of high crime rate in Metro Manila, the [[Philippine National Police]] launched a relentless anti-crime drive that resulted in the decrease of crimes in the metropolis.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ph.news.yahoo.com/metro-manila-safer-place-roxas-000000685.html |title=Metro Manila a safer place – Roxas |author=Non Alquitran |publisher=The Philippine Star |date=February 17, 2015 |accessdate=March 6, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.philstar.com/metro/2015/03/16/1434088/metro-manila-crime-rate-down |title=Metro Manila crime rate down |author=Non Alquitran |publisher=The Philippine Star |date=March 16, 2015 |accessdate=March 16, 2015 }}</ref> As of March 2015 Metro Manila's crime rate is down by 50%. From an average of 919 crimes reported weekly, it has gone down to 412. Recorded robberies and theft also decreased by 63 in just a month.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.philstar.com/metro/2015/03/05/1430095/pnp-metro-manila-crime-rate-drops-50 |title=PNP: Metro Manila crime rate drops by 50% |author=Cecille Suerte Felipe |publisher=The Philippine Star |date=March 5, 2015 |accessdate=March 6, 2015 }}</ref> All the 159 police community precincts of Metro Manila will be using the electronic blotter system in recording crimes starting June 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cnnphilippines.com/metro/2015/05/07/metro-manila-police-use-e-blotter-e-cirs.html |title=Metro Manila police precincts to use e-blotter system |author=Mikas Matsuzawa |publisher=[[CNN Philippines]] |date=May 7, 2015 |accessdate=May 10, 2015 }}</ref>
==== Firefighting ====
The Bureau of Fire Protection National Capital Region provides [[fire protection]] and technical rescue as well as [[emergency medical services]] to the metropolis. It is broadly organized into five firefighting districts: Manila, [[Quezon City Fire District|Quezon City]], District II, District III and District IV.
== Culture and contemporary life ==
{{main article|Annual events in Metro Manila}}
Metro Manila is widely celebrated in popular lore, frequently the setting for mostly Filipino books, movies, and television programs. [[Flores de Mayo]] is widely celebrated throughout all the places in Metro Manila. The yearly [[Metro Manila Film Festival]], inaugurated in 1966, is the forerunner of all Philippine film festivals.
=== Arts ===
==== Performing arts ====
{{wide image|CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.jpg|1000px|The Main Theater of the [[Cultural Center of the Philippines]] is named after composer [[Nicanor Abelardo]]. On the extreme right is the house curtain based on [[Hernando R. Ocampo|Hernando Ocampo's]] ''Genesis''.}}
Metro Manila is the home of the [[Cultural Center of the Philippines]], the national cultural center of the country. Aside from CCP, other popular performing arts venue include Cuneta Astrodome, [[Mall of Asia Arena]], [[Rizal Park]], [[Quezon Memorial Circle]] and [[SMART Araneta Coliseum]]. Other venues used are the UPFI Film Center and UP Theater in the [[University of the Philippines Diliman]].
The famed [[Manila Metropolitan Theater]], also known as The Met, was constructed in 1931 and was known as the "Grand Dame" among all the [[Art Deco theaters of Manila]]. Years of neglect forces its closure in 1996. The Met will be restored through a tripartite agreement with the [[National Commission for Culture and the Arts]], the [[National Museum of the Philippines]] and the Escuela Taller.
==== Museums and art galleries ====
{{main article|List of museums in Metro Manila}}
[[File:National Museum, Philippines.JPG|thumb|left|The [[National Museum of the Philippines]].]]
Metro Manila is the home to the [[National Museum of the Philippines]], the national museum of the country. It is located in the grounds of [[Rizal Park]] just outside [[Intramuros]]. The National Museum complex include the National Art Gallery, the [[Museum of the Filipino People]] and the Museum of Natural History. The National Museum Complex occupies the place and buildings that were a part of a new capital center proposed by [[Daniel Burnham]] in 1901.
Prominent museums in Metro Manila include the [[Ayala Museum]], [[Bahay Tsinoy]], [[Casa Manila]], [[Lopez Museum]], [[Metropolitan Museum of Manila]], [[The Mind Museum]], [[Museo Pambata]], [[Museo Valenzuela]], [[Museum of Philippine Political History]], [[Pasig City Museum]] and the [[Rizal Shrine (Intramuros)|Rizal Shrine]].
Museums established by educational institutions are the [[Ateneo Art Gallery]], [[Jorge B. Vargas Museum and Filipiniana Research Center]], the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scmp.com/magazines/48hrs/article/1725010/manila-essence-your-guide-citys-contemporary-art-scene |title=Manila essence: your guide to city's contemporary art scene |author=John Batten |publisher=South China Morning Post |access-date=March 9, 2015 }}</ref> [[University of the Philippines Museum of a History of Ideas|UP Museum of a History of Ideas]], and the [[UST Museum of Arts and Sciences]].
=== Sports ===
[[File:Mall of Asia Arena Basketball 2012.jpg|thumb|A [[Philippine Basketball Association]] game held at the [[Mall of Asia Arena]] in [[Pasay]].]]
[[File:MetroManilajf7543 09.JPG|thumb|left|The [[Smart Araneta Coliseum]] in [[Araneta Center]], Cubao in [[Quezon City]].]]
The National Capital Region is the home to the [[headquarter]]s of the [[ASEAN Basketball League]], [[Baseball Philippines]], [[Philippine Basketball Association]], [[Philippine Super Liga]], [[Shakey's V-League]] and the [[United Football League (Philippines)|United Football League]]. [[College athletics|Collegiate leagues]] based in the National Capital Region are the [[Colleges and Universities Sports Association]], [[National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities]], [[National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines)|National Collegiate Athletic Association]], [[National Capital Region Athletic Association]], [[State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association]], [[Universities and Colleges Athletic Association]], [[University Athletic Association of the Philippines]], [[Women's National Collegiate Athletic Association]] and the [[Men's National Collegiate Athletic Association]].
Two national sports complex is located in the region, the [[Rizal Memorial Sports Complex]] and the [[PhilSports Complex]]. The [[Wack Wack Golf and Country Club]] has hosted major tournaments such as the [[Philippine Open (golf)|Philippine Open]] and the [[World Cup (men's golf)|World Cup]]. Prominent sporting venues in Metro Manila include the [[Smart Araneta Coliseum]], [[Mall of Asia Arena]], [[Filoil Flying V Arena]] and the [[Cuneta Astrodome]]. The [[Greater Manila Area]] is also home to the [[Philippine Arena]] located in [[Ciudad de Victoria]], [[Bulacan]] is the [[List of indoor arenas by capacity|world's largest indoor arena]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/08/31/building-bigger-world%E2%80%99s-largest-indoor-arena-set-for-the-philippines/ | title=Building Bigger: World’s Largest Indoor Arena Set for the Philippines | publisher=''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' | date=August 31, 2011 | accessdate=July 8, 2013 | last=Newcomb | first=Tim}}</ref> with a maximum capacity of 55,000 people.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hanwha E&C Completes World’s Largest Indoor Arena Construction in the Philippines|url=http://koreabizwire.com/hanwha-ec-completes-worlds-largest-indoor-arena-construction-in-the-philippines/11706|accessdate=July 24, 2014|publisher=The Korea Bizwire|date=June 10, 2014}}</ref>
Metro Manila's, and in general the country's main sport is [[basketball]]. Another popular sport in the city are [[cue sports]], and billiard halls are found in many places. [[Baseball]], [[volleyball]], [[Football]] and [[Swimming (sport)|swimming]] are also widely played sports. NCR has been the champion of the [[Palarong Pambansa]] for 13 straight years.<ref>{{cite news|title=NCR extends Palaro reign to 13 years |url=http://sports.inquirer.net/181175/ncr-extends-palaro-reign-to-13-years |accessdate=May 14, 2015 |publisher=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |date=May 9, 2015}}</ref> [[Manila Storm]] are a [[rugby league]] team training out of [[Rizal Park]] (Luneta Park) and playing home matches at the Southern Plains Field, [[Calamba, Laguna]]. The Metro Manila area is also home to a number of [[rugby union]] teams such as the Alabang Eagles, Makati Mavericks, [[Manila Nomads Sports Club]] and the Manila Hapons.
== Government and politics ==
{{Further|Administrative divisions of Metro Manila}}
{{See also|Metropolitan Manila Development Authority}}
The [[Metropolitan Manila Development Authority]] (MMDA) is the agency responsible for the delivery of public services in Metro Manila. Its services are limited to traffic management and garbage collection.
A bill was introduced in 2014 proposing the creation of a new governing body in Metro Manila to be known as the Metropolitan Manila Regional Administration (MMRA). Unlike the MMDA which is limited to being an administrative coordinating body, the proposed MMRA will have police and other typical municipal powers and is more akin to the [[Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/09/25/1372873/bill-creating-new-metro-manila-body-backed |title=Bill creating new Metro Manila body backed |publisher=[[Philippine Star]] |accessdate=30 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/640403/doj-backs-creation-of-metropolitan-manila-regional-administration |title=DOJ backs creation of Metropolitan Manila Regional Administration |publisher=''[[Philippine Daily Inquirer|Inquirer.net]]'' |accessdate=March 8, 2015}}</ref>
[[File:Quezon-city-commonwealth-2010-01.JPG|thumb|[[Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City|Commonwealth Avenue]] near the [[Sandiganbayan|Sandiganbayan Centennial Building]] and the [[Batasang Pambansa Complex]], originally a part of the planned new national government center.]]
Metro Manila, the National Capital Region, is the seat of the [[Government of the Philippines]]. All the main offices of the [[executive departments of the Philippines|executive departments of the country]] are in Metro Manila. The [[Department of Agrarian Reform]], [[Department of Agriculture (Philippines)|Department of Agriculture]], [[Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Philippines)|Department of Environment and Natural Resources]], National Housing Authority and [[Philippine Coconut Authority]] has their main offices based around [[Quezon Memorial Circle]] in [[Quezon City]].
[[Manila]], the capital city of the country, is the home to the [[Malacañang Palace]], the official office and residence of the [[President of the Philippines]]. The city is also the home of the [[Supreme Court of the Philippines]]. Important national institutions based in Manila are the [[Philippine Court of Appeals|Court of Appeals]], the [[Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas]], and the [[Executive Departments of the Philippines|Departments]] of [[Department of Budget and Management (Philippines)|Budget and Management]], [[Department of Finance (Philippines)|Finance]], [[Department of Health (Philippines)|Health]], [[Department of Justice (Philippines)|Justice]], [[Department of Labor and Employment (Philippines)|Labor and Employment]] and [[Department of Public Works and Highways|Public Works and Highways]]. Meanwhile, the [[Department of Science and Technology (Philippines)|Department of Science and Technology]] is based in [[Taguig]] while the [[Department of Tourism (Philippines)|Department of Tourism]] has its headquarters in [[Makati]]. Important economic and financial institutions headquartered in the region are the [[Asian Development Bank]], [[Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas]], [[Development Bank of the Philippines]], [[Land Bank of the Philippines]] and the [[National Economic and Development Authority]].
The campus of the [[Government Service Insurance System]] in [[Pasay]] is the home to the [[Senate of the Philippines]]. Meanwhile, the [[House of Representatives of the Philippines]], is based in the [[Batasang Pambansa Complex]], [[Quezon City]] along with the [[Sandiganbayan]]. The [[Coconut Palace]] serves as the official office and residence of the [[Vice President of the Philippines]].
=== Independent cities and municipality ===
* For the [[Senate of the Philippines|Senate]], polling is done at-large, nationwide.
* For the [[House of Representatives of the Philippines|House of Representatives]], each city has at least one representative; Pateros' representation is included with the first [[Sangguniang Panlungsod]] district of Taguig.
Metro Manila has its own judicial region, the National Capital Judicial Region, as such that all regional trial court judges can be stationed in anywhere within the region.-->
=== Districts ===
Unlike other [[Regions of the Philippines|administrative regions]] in the Philippines, Metro Manila is not composed of [[Provinces of the Philippines|provinces]]. Instead, the region is divided into four geographic areas called "districts."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nscb.gov.ph/poverty/sae/2003%20SAE%20of%20poverty%20(Full%20Report).pdf |title=Municipal and City Level Estimates |publisher=National Statistical Coordination Board |accessdate=14 July 2014}}</ref> The districts have their district centers at the four original cities in the region: the city-district of Manila (Capital District), [[Quezon City]] (Eastern Manila), [[Caloocan]] (Northern Manila, also informally known as ''CAMANAVA''), and [[Pasay]] (Southern Manila).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://emb.gov.ph/emb_ncr/aboutus.htm |title=Environmental Management Bureau – National Capital Region |publisher=Environmental Management Bureau |accessdate=17 July 2014}}</ref> The districts serve mainly to organize the region's local government units for fiscal and statistical purposes.
[[File:Districts of Metro Manila.svg|thumb|left|Districts of Metro Manila]] {{Districts of Metro Manila|}} {{clear}}
===Annexation of San Pedro, Laguna===
There is a high clamor for the inclusion of [[San Pedro, Laguna]] in Metro Manila. Support groups from the local government and non-government organizations are striving to incorporate San Pedro into Metro Manila by the year 2015. Once incorporated, San Pedro will be the 17th city of the National Capital Region.
During the first city hood anniversary of San Pedro last December 29, 2014, Guest of Honor [[Metropolitan Manila Development Authority|MMDA Chairman]] [[Francis Tolentino]] said in his speech that San Pedro is being eyed as the 18th member of Metro Manila. He also said that the proposal will push through at the first meeting of the MMDA Council of Mayors in January 2015.<ref>http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?&sid=10++.&pfn=720424&arch=1&go=Go&search_arch&andor&mdte_arch=12&ddte_arch=30&ydte_arch=2014</ref><ref>http://www.mb.com.ph/san-pedro-city-eyed-as-18th-member-of-mmda/</ref>
===Further future expansion===
There are rumors that say after San Pedro, the MMDA would have the potential to expand further north into [[Bulacan]], annexing the municipalities of [[Obando, Bulacan|Obando]] and [[Marilao, Bulacan|Marilao]] as well as the city of [[Meycauayan]]. Some even say that they might be able to add [[Bacoor]] from [[Cavite]].
== Infrastructure ==
=== Utilities ===
==== Water and electricity ====
{{Further|Water privatization in Metro Manila}}
[[File:LaMesaDamEcopark1.jpg|thumb|left|Photo shows a pond in [[La Mesa Ecopark]] in [[Quezon City]]. La Mesa is an [[ecological]] [[nature reserve]] and [[reservoir]] that supplies potable drinking water to the metropolis.]]
[[File:Metro Manila water zones.PNG|thumb|Water zones for Metro Manila and the surrounding areas. [[Maynilad Water Services]] operates in the red areas while [[Manila Water]] operates in the blue areas.]]
[[Meralco]] is the sole electric distributor of Metro Manila. It generates its power from the [[National Power Corporation]] and other independent power producers in [[Luzon]].
The [[Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System]] (MWSS) was responsible for the supply and delivery of potable water and the sewarage system in Metro Manila. It was [[Water privatization in Metro Manila|privatized in 1997]] and the region and its immediate surrounding areas was split into the east and west concession. The winning corporations provides the same function of MWSS.
The [[Maynilad Water Services]] took over the west zone, which is composed of [[Manila]] (excluding the southeastern part of the city), [[Caloocan]], [[Las Piñas]], [[Malabon]], [[Muntinlupa]], [[Navotas]], [[Parañaque]], [[Pasay]] and [[Valenzuela, Philippines|Valenzuela]]. It also operates in some parts of [[Makati]] and [[Quezon City]]. [[Manila Water]] operates on the east zone, comprising the cities of [[Mandaluyong]], [[Marikina]], [[Pasig]], [[Pateros, Metro Manila|Pateros]], [[San Juan, Metro Manila|San Juan]] and [[Taguig]]. It also operates in large areas of [[Makati]] and [[Quezon City]] and the southeastern part of [[Manila]], which was excluded from the west zone.
==== Waste management ====
For garbage hauling, the region spent ₱4.221 billion ($93.855 million) in 2013. [[Quezon City]] spent the most at ₱994.59 million ($22.115 million) while [[Pateros, Metro Manila|Pateros]], NCR's only municipality, spent the least amount of money on garbage at ₱9.478 million ($210,747).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/71151-garbage-hauling-expenses-metro-manila |title=Metro Manila spent P4.2B to get rid of 2013 garbage |publisher=Rappler |date=October 6, 2014 |accessdate=March 6, 2015 }}</ref>
=== Transportation ===
{{Main article|Transportation in Metro Manila}}
{{See also|Metro Manila Dream Plan}}
According to the [[Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (Philippines)|Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board]], public ridership in Metro Manila composes of the following: 46% of the people go around by [[jeepney]]s, 32% by private vehicle, 14% by bus, and 8% use the railway system.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/85871-jeepney-feeder-vehicle-transport-plan |title=Fixing traffic: Jeeps eyed as feeders to bus routes |author=Katerina Francisco |publisher=Rappler |date=March 5, 2015 |accessdate=March 5, 2015 }}</ref> Transportation development in Metro Manila follows the [[Metro Manila Dream Plan]], which consists of building short-term to long-term infrastructure lasting up to 2030 and addressing its issues on traffic, land use and environment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jica.go.jp/philippine/english/office/topics/news/140902.html |title=JICA transport study lists strategies for congestion-free MM by 2030 |publisher=[[Japan International Cooperation Agency]] |date=September 2, 2014 |accessdate=March 27, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/102377/japan-presents-57-b-dream-plan-to-solve-metro-congestion/ |title=Japan presents $57-B ‘dream plan’ to solve Metro congestion |author=Jerry E. Esplanada |publisher=''[[Philippine Daily Inquirer|INQUIRER.net]]'' |date=April 20, 2014 |accessdate=March 27, 2015 }}</ref>
==== Streets, roads, and highways ====
{{Main article|List of roads in Metro Manila}}
[[File:Skyway SLEX PNR.jpg|thumb|left|[[South Luzon Expressway]], entrance to the [[Metro Manila Skyway]] and the PNR railway.]]
[[File:MRT-3 Train Quezon Avenue 1.jpg|thumb|A flyover at [[EDSA (road)|EDSA]] on its intersection with [[Quezon Avenue]].]]
[[File:Mandaluyong City 2.JPG|thumb|[[Shaw Boulevard]] in [[Mandaluyong]].]]
The roads of Metro Manila is built around the [[Manila|City of Manila]]. Roads are classified as local, national or subdivision roads. There are ten radial roads branching out from the city. Also there are five circumferential roads forming a series of concentric semi-circular arts around Manila. The circumferential and radial roads are systems of interconnected roads and highways. A problem with the circumferencial roads are the missing road links. These are the roads that are not constructed (yet) to give way for development due to Metro Manila's rapid urbanization. The metropolis is resolving this problem through the completion of missing road links or through the construction of connector roads.
At present, the construction of the [[Metro Manila Skyway]] Stage 3 and the [[NAIA Expressway]] Phase 2 is ongoing, which are part of the [[Metro Manila Dream Plan]]. Other ongoing projects in the dream plan include the rehabilitation of EDSA, and the construction of the missing road links for the circumferential roads (e.g. Taft Avenue Flyover, Metro Manila Interchange Project Phase IV).
==== Rapid transit ====
===== Rail =====
{{Further|Manila Light Rail Transit System|Manila Metro Rail Transit System}}
[[File:Manila metro.svg|thumb|System map of the [[Manila LRT]] and [[Manila MRT|MRT]] (current as of July 2015)]]
[[File:MRT-2 Araneta Center-Cubao Station.jpg|thumb|An [[Manila Light Rail Transit System|LRT]] [[Manila Light Rail Transit System Line 2|Line 2]] train arriving at [[Araneta Center–Cubao LRT Station|Araneta Center-Cubao Terminal Station]].]]
The [[Manila Light Rail Transit System]] (LRT) operates the [[Manila Light Rail Transit System Line 1|LRT-1]] and the [[Manila Light Rail Transit System Line 2|LRT-2]]. On the other hand, the [[Manila Metro Rail Transit System]] (MRT) operates the semi-circular line along EDSA, MRT-3. Line 1 has a weekly ridership of 560,000 people.<ref name="LRT PPP">{{cite web |url=http://ppp.gov.ph/?p=7641 |title=LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension and Operation & Maintenance |publisher=Public-Private Partnership Center |accessdate=March 24, 2015 }}</ref> In February 2014, a total of 14.06 million passengers took Line 1 while 6.13 million took Line 2.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/592927/did-you-know-lrt-1-and-2-ridership |title=Did you know: LRT 1 and 2 ridership |publisher=''[[Philippine Daily Inquirer|INQUIRER.net]]'' |author= Marielle Medina |accessdate=March 24, 2015 }}</ref>
The [[Philippine National Railways]] operates a commuter rail service in Metro Manila called the [[PNR Metro South Commuter]]. Its [[Tutuban railway station|main terminal station]] is located at Tutuban in [[Tondo, Manila|Tondo]]. When the LRT Line 2 West Extension is completed, Tutuban may become the busiest [[interchange station]] in the metropolis, adding another 400,000 people from the current 1 million people Tutuban Center attracts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/03/20/15/tutuban-center-may-becom≤e-manilas-busiest-transfer-station |title=Tutuban Center may become Manila's busiest transfer station |publisher=ABS-CBN News |accessdate=March 21, 2015}}</ref>
===== Buses =====
Bus franchises in the region are regulated by the [[Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (Philippines)|Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board]]. The Express Connect Bus is the express bus system that runs from its dispatch terminal in Fairview up to the central business districts along [[EDSA (road)|EDSA]]. It aims to cut travel time substantially and provide a faster, safer and more convenient bus service to commuters, who are usually caught at the heavy traffic across the metropolis.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/457517/news/metromanila/express-buses-get-underway-on-edsa |title=Express buses get underway on EDSA |publisher=GMA News Online |date=March 23, 2015 |accessdate=May 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=govt-to-launch-express-bus-system-in-metro-manila&id=104760 |title=Gov’t to launch express bus system in Metro Manila |publisher=BusinessWorld Online |date=March 20, 2015 |accessdate=May 22, 2015}}</ref> A second express bus link from SM North EDSA and SM Megamall to Makati City opened in December 2015, and by January 2016 was the line on which, for the first time in nearly three decades, a [[double-decker bus]] traveled on EDSA, to the delight of motorists, followed by a 3rd link, this time from [[Robinsons Galleria]] to the Ayala Center complex in February 2016 and a 4th in March linking the Ayala Center to the Alabang Town center in Muntinlupa via the Metro Manila Skyway.
Metro Manila will have its [[bus rapid transit]] system operational by 2018. The 27.7 kilometer proposed BRT system will traverse [[Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City|Commonwealth Avenue]] up to the [[Manila City Hall]]. The planned BRT system costs ₱4.9 billion ($109.5 million) and will have a fleet of 300 buses and 32 stations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/231424688215/dotc-eyeing-bus-rapid-transit-to-ease-traffic-in-metro-manila |title=DOTC eyeing bus rapid transit to ease traffic in Metro Manila |publisher=Philippine Information Agency |date=February 24, 2015 |accessdate=March 23, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.interaksyon.com/business/105567/dotc-metro-manila-to-have-its-first-bus-rapid-transit-operational-by-2018 |title=DOTC: Metro Manila to have its first bus rapid transit operational by 2018 |publisher=''[[News5|Interaksyon]]'' |date=February 22, 2015 |accessdate=March 23, 2015}}</ref>
==== Aviation ====
[[File:NAIA Terminal 3 2009 MC.jpg|thumb|Façade of [[Ninoy Aquino International Airport]] Terminal 3, the busiest airport in the country.]]
The [[Ninoy Aquino International Airport]] (NAIA) located in the cities of [[Pasay]] and [[Parañaque]] is the premier gateway and the only airport in the region. NAIA is the country's busiest airport.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.interaksyon.com/business/36428/naia-is-philippines-busiest-airport---nscb |title=NAIA is Philippines' busiest airport - NSCB |publisher=InterAksyon.com |author=Darwin G. Amojelar |date=2012-07-03 |accessdate=June 29, 2013}}</ref> The other airport that serves Metro Manila is the [[Clark International Airport]] located in [[Angeles, Pampanga]].
==== Ferry ====
{{main article|Pasig River Ferry Service}}
The [[Pasig River Ferry Service]] run by the [[Metropolitan Manila Development Authority]] is the [[Ferry|ferry shuttle system]] of Metro Manila. It traverses the [[Pasig River]] from Plaza Mexico in [[Intramuros]] to Barangay Pinagbuhatan in [[Pasig]]. Although it was referred to as a [[ferry]], it is more akin to a [[water taxi|water bus]]. It has 17 stations, but only 14 are operational.
==See also==
{{Portal bar|Geography|Asia|Philippines}}
* [[Outline of Metro Manila]]
* [[List of metropolitan areas in Asia]]
* [[Imperial Manila]]
* [[Mega Manila]]
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
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