Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, left, and Indonesian leader Joko "Jokowi" Widodo see relocating their capitals as a solution to multiple problems. (Nikkei Montage/Reuters)

Duterte and Jokowi seek new capitals to solve old cities' woes

Gridlock and smog plague Manila and Jakarta as inequality worsens

MIKHAIL FLORES and SHOTARO TANI, Nikkei staff writers

July 16, 2019 15:30 JST

MANILA/JAKARTA -- Jolu Bunda spends up to four hours a day commuting to and from his job as a bank manager in Metro Manila. He leaves for work by 5 a.m. to beat the worst of the Philippine capital's notorious rush-hour traffic, and he makes sure to leave the office as soon as his shift ends 12 hours later.