Description
Book SynopsisA decade and a half since the Philippines embarked on a major program of decentralization, the authors of this book have undertaken a detailed examination of all aspects of the nation's regional dynamics and policies. Their analysis extends to comparable experiences in East Asia, particularly China and Indonesia. The lessons of this book are relevant not only for an audience interested in the Philippines - a large developing nation with a population soon to exceed 100 million people - but also for many other developing countries now embarking on decentralization programs. The book therefore has broad international appeal.
The contributors focus on three main issues:
- Centre-region relations. While the decentralization program in the Philippines has been reasonably successful, they argue there is an urgent need for a clear, predictable, and stable regulatory environment that governs centre-region administrative and financial relations.
- Infrastructure. This is arguably the most important policy tool in shaping regional development patterns, yet decision-makers are rarely able to develop these investments on the basis of a coherent and integrated policy framework.
- The conflict in Mindanao. This deep and protracted conflict must be resolved for the benefit of the local and national population.
This enlightening and topical book will appeal to postgraduate students of economic development, regional development/science, rural development, and Asian Studies. It will also attract the interest of researchers and practitioners in international development agencies, NGOs, and policymakers and legislators in developing countries.
Trade Review'Balisacan and Hill have assembled several excellent contributions. . . The editors and contributing authors of this book document the story of regional development in great detail. . . with analytical clarity and a pleasing uniformity of style, making for a readable and very coherent volume overall. . . It is a must-read for all students of that country's economy, and for all who seek to understand better the regional implications of growth, policy, and devolution in low-income economies.' -- Ian Coxhead, The Developing Economies
'Arsenio Balisacan and Hal Hill have edited a must-read volume of 13 essays that extract the results and relevant lessons of Philippine regional development amid decentralization and globalization.' -- Roberto de Vera, Journal of Regional Science
'By focusing on a systematic analysis of the regional dimension, Professors Arsenio Balisacan and Hal Hill (with the help of other economists) succeed in presenting a definitive update of Philippine regional economic developments. This work is an indispensable sequel and complement to their earlier work on Philippine economic problems, which focused on national economic issues.' -- Gerardo P. Sicat, University of the Philippines
'This volume integrates four of the "hottest" themes in current development debates - globalization, decentralization, inequality and governance. By combining a broad East Asian perspective on these four topics with a deep analysis of the Philippines experience, the editors get the very best out of their comparative research framework. This is not your typical edited volume, with only an occasional gem amongst the filler - the entire volume really holds together. Hill and Balisacan have clearly exercised a firm analytical and editorial hand, demonstrating, as does the analysis in the book, that firm, competent central leadership is crucial for decentralization to work.' -- Peter Timmer, Center for Global Development, US
Table of ContentsContents: Foreword Preface The Philippine Regions, 1987 The Philippine Regions, 2003 1. The Philippines and Regional Development Hal Hill, Arsenio M. Balisacan and Sharon Faye A. Piza PART I: EAST ASIA AND BEYOND 2. Globalization, Geography and Regional Policy John Weiss 3. Regional Development: Analytical and Policy Issues Hal Hill 4. The East Asian Experience: The People’s Republic of China Ligang Song 5. The East Asian Experience: Indonesia Budy P. Resosudarmo and Yogi Vidyattama PART II: THE PHILIPPINES 6. Local Politics and Local Economy Emmanuel S. de Dios 7. The Quality of Local Governance and Development under Decentralization Joseph J. Capuno 8. Regional Labour Markets and Economic Development in the Philippines Emmanuel F. Esguerra and Chris Manning 9. Decentralization and the Financing of Regional Development Rosario G. Manasan 10. Infrastructure and Regional Growth Gilberto M. Llanto 11. Development of the Rural Non-farm Sector in the Philippines and Lessons from the East Asian Experience Jonna P. Estudillo, Tetsushi Sonobe and Keijiro Otsuka 12. Regional Responses to Trade Liberalization and Economic Decentralization Gwendolyn R. Tecson 13. Local Growth and Poverty Reduction Arsenio M. Balisacan References Index
