Identification of Commute-based Metropolitan Areas and their Resilience under a Public Health Crisis

We delineate metropolitan areas (MAs) in the Philippines using cellphone-based flow data as a proxy for daily commutes. The analysis reveals several large MAs not officially recognized but growing faster than administratively defined cities, and differing spatial extents for the three designated MAs. During the initial weeks of COVID-19, severe mobility restrictions causes MA fragmentation and contraction. As restrictions eased, many MAs quickly rebounded, with previously separated municipalities reintegrating. Regression analysis highlights that proximity, administrative boundaries, accessibility, and labor market complementarity between core and peripheral municipalities are important factors driving MA resilience. JEL codes: I18, O18, R12, R58