Quezon City moves to replace Manila as country’s capital

MANILA, Philippines—The richest city in the country is now on the move to strip Manila of its status as the country’s capital city.

In a resolution, a Quezon City councilor is urging Congress to enact a law, declaring it as the new capital of the Republic of the Philippines.

In 1948, Quezon City was declared the nation’s capital until 1976, when former President Ferdinand Marcos signed Presidential Decree No. 940, transferring the title to Manila.

This was because Manila became the center of transportation, commerce, culture, and education.

But according to the resolution authored by city councilor Francisco Calalay Jr., Quezon City has already surpassed these qualifications since most of the major thoroughfares in the country are now located in the city, including the Light Rail and the Metro Rail Transit, making it the center of transportation.

The three-page resolution added that Quezon City is now the center of communication, since it houses most television and radio networks, such as GMA Network, ABS-CBN, TV5, GEM TV, UNTV, Net 25, NBN, RPN, and IBC.

“Due to [its] present economic and ecological features and considering its historical and cultural significance … the capital city of the Republic of the Philippines should be fittingly reinstated to Quezon City,” the resolution read.

Quezon City was named after former President Manuel Quezon and has the largest land area in Metro Manila.

It also has the most number of private elementary and secondary schools in Manila and is home to several educational institutions such as the University of the Philippines Diliman, Philippine Science High School, Diliman Preparatory School, and Quezon City Science High School.

As to being the center of commerce, the resolution said the sale of car parts and accessories is concentrated in Banawe Avenue, earning it the title Autoparts Capital of the Philippines.

Tomas Morato and Timog Avenues are also the heart of restaurants and entertainment while Cubao has become the City’s commercial capital. The large number of high-rise buildings also reflects the City’s growing economy.

Moreover, Quezon City claims to be the center of culture due to the large number of celebrities, theater artists, and filmmakers residing in it.

It is also home to several historical events, such as the Cry of Pugad Lawin, Battle of La Loma, and the EDSA People Power.

Being the former capital, it has become the seat of several government offices, including the Batasang Pambansa Complex, House of Representatives, Land Transportation Office, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Social Security System, and the National Statistics Office.