'Gov't, private developers liable for flood damage'
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Urban planner and architect Felino Palafox Jr. |
MANILA - Government agencies and private developers are jointly liable for the massive loss of life and property in several Metro Manila cities for practicing poor urban planning and allowing commercial and residential structures to be built in flood-prone areas, according to "green" architect and urban planner Felino Palafox Jr.
Palafox said a 1977 World Bank-funded study identified Marikina Valley, the western shores of Laguna de Bay, and the Manila Bay coastal area as among development areas that should prepare for flooding, earthquakes and possible changes in topography.
The Metro Manila Transport, Land Use and Development Planning Project (Metroplan), which was finalized by Hong Kong-based consulting firm Freeman Fox and Associates, has been used as a blueprint by urban planning developers and various government agencies and urban planners. Unfortunately, he said corruption and lack of planning has led to the shelving of some of the plan's recommendations.
"You see the irony here. National government agencies are aware that there is a flooding level of so many meters, then another national government agency would approve subdivision plans for only nine-meter high houses. There are about 32 signatures to obtain just to do a development project. It's like an obstacle course," he said in an ANC interview last Tuesday.
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Proposed Parañaque spillway (in red) to flush out the excess water to the Laguna Bay and South China Sea |
He said the Metroplan addressed flood-mapping in Metro Manila, specifically after the massive typhoon in 1970. He said the Metroplan included the construction of the Manggahan Floodway, which would divert floodwaters from reaching Metro Manila by diverting the water to the Laguna Lake.
"There was supposed to be a Parañaque spillway to flush out the excess water to the Laguna Bay and South China Sea, but this was never done. It was part of the recommendation," he said.
Palafox said the study recommended the monitoring of the Marikina Riverbank so that the water would not reach 90 meters. Likewise, no structure should have been allowed within 9 meters from the riverbank, he added.
The architect said he is currently working with Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando on several development projects in the city. He said that in Marikina, structures should be built above 17 meters which is above the maximum flood level of the city.
This is the reason why SM Marikina, which he helped design, was built on stilts, with the lower level of the mall used only for parking and all the shops on higher levels.
"In Marikina, instead of nine-meter high buildings you go upward and build a boulevard with dikes. All subdivisions should go medium-rise or high-rise and there should no longer be individual houses. It should be mixed use. You live upstairs, you work in the middle and you shop downstairs, just like Paris," he said.
Manila like Paris
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1970's study already showed low-lying areas in Metro Manila are prone to flooding - Palafox |
Palafox said that in 1905, American architect Daniel Burnham envisioned building Manila like the city of Paris. "He said it should be designed like Paris beside the River Seine, like Manila beside Pasig River. He said the esteros of Manila could be like the canals of Venice. We were alright until the 1940s when the Americans left and then we adopted wrong models of urban planning," he said.
As an architect, he said he often tells potential clients that they should practice due diligence and look at the 100-year flood history of a potential development area before starting construction. He lamented, however, that some short-sighted clients would only look at the 25-year flood history of an area since the planned structures are not built to last.
"We are always reacting to crisis. It bothered me when I saw these reports and pictures and people are saying it's an act of God. It's not. It's us not following the plans and proposals. If you are an urban planner, an environmental planner, these have been planned as early as 1905," he said.
He said that to address the problem of flooding, the government should consider "vertical urbanism" and build more high-rises instead of "horizontal urbanism."
He criticized the lack of coordination among government agencies and cited the EDSA corridor as a prime example of how urban planning has failed in the Philippines.
"I did a study in Harvard on the EDSA corridor on how not to do a city. You have high-transit stations surrounded by low-gated communities and low-density military camps. How do you make people walk to it?" he said.
He said that to address the problem of climate change and future flooding in the Philippines, urban planners should start redesigning cities in the country by looking at the lessons of the past and seeing what other countries are doing.
"In a crisis like this, it's an opportunity to be creative and learn. Technology can address these problems," he said. With a report from Ron Gagalac, ABS-CBN News
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Pinas Will Change......Sooner
Today, architecture in the Philippines continue to be vibrant and with the country opening up to the world, more first rate architecture is pouring in. We produce best architects take MAPUA, ATENEO,DE LA SALLE and even in schools scattered nationwide. You only have to visit their projects and exhibits in school to find out how excellent and creative our young "to be" architects are.
Did you know that one school in Bulacan Bragged the winning theme of one exhibit?: ANG PINAKAMAGANDANG BAHAY SA BALAT NG LUPA.
This calamity is a long awaited opportunity for our government to correct an age old urban planning mistake.
Age old laws must be revised also .....and this is a call for "charter change" in order to boost our economy.Revise non performing laws.
Development and strict law implementation always go hand and hand. This will change the people mentality and will protect citizens against age old corrupts.
AS A CITIZEN
First we should go back to basic, we should as part of the community instill discipline to our selves,children and the whole family to properly dispose our solid waste and not just throw anywhere we want including the informal settlers who are in the river banks of Pasig/Marikina/Tullahan. LGU's should really impose penalties( Jail them if necessary I am afraid we will have a sardines like situation as we have limited space in our jails) just like in Singapore which we can follow. Since our country is typhoon prone and with the "Climate Changes" that are now occurring which exacerbate our situation,we can only mitigate the effect of the natural occurrences like the typhoons.
Second, government with the help of private sectors ( I do hope that the billionaires like Henry Sy, Lucio Tan, Gokongwei, Jaime Zobels will invest small amount of their money on this very important project just like how the late Cardinal Jaime Sin had done a project in Punta Sta Ana where the poor (informal settlers) where provided a low cost housing( to be paid in 30 years at minimal amount) in community in Punta Sta Ana itself without uprooting them from their livelihood. The 5 - 6 storey building is just like tenement buildings built during late President Marcos time.I am against the late Pres Marcos but we should give him credit for that kind of project. The idea is to build a series of low cost 5- 6 storey buildings along the river with the ground floor as a school or commercial areas using Architect Palafox idea just like in Cambodia ( I work in that country for a year) where houses are built 2-3 storey with the ground use as garage or commercial area. The buildings will have proper sewage systems either sewage treatment plants or will be connected to city sewerage systems and also garbage disposal areas. With this kind of project, the informal settlers will not be uprooted from their work. If we are going to force them to settle somewhere else say outside of Metro Manila without the means to earn a living to said place, I am damn sure they will just sell their rights and come back again to Manila and again as informal settlers.
With the above project implemented , the government can proceed with dredging the Pasig River, Tullahan River, Marikina River, Napindan Channel, other esteros and finally Laguna Lake which is really silted. The goverment should provide the necessary passage of water from Laguna Lake to Manila By or to China sea. Either constructing the dikes or to install series of large pumping stations and pump the water out to Manila bay or china sea.
Fourth, national or local government local units should conduct surveys/inspections on esteros which have been used and reclaimed by unscrupulous people. They have built permanent structures such as houses and buildings. The water passageway have been blocked. This one reason why water stayed longer for days and take time to recede. Check one area, along E Rodrigues Blvd near Araneta Avenue.
Fifth, government should really review the selective logging law, if we want this country to survive for the next 50 years, we should implement a total ban of logging for ten (10 years). Congress is really good in creating a law with loopholes that is the reason why we have a selective logging ban.Who define the area where the ban is to be implemented, the good guys in DENR and anybody can cut trees as long as the money is right. We are becoming people of idiot because of these lawmakers who are only after for their Pork Barrel Fund and the position of Congressman and Senators comes with power and authority. Money without power is nothing, that is the main reason why a lot of people inspite of the money they had, they still run for elective because of what comes with it.
I live in Bulacan at the back of Sierra Madre Mountain and I believe the mountain may have lost 80 percent of its (Trees)green area because of illegal loggers. Kaingeros cannot destroy that much . I am a witnessed to the effect of this extensive damage on our forrest, the water that came from the mountain is with soil, its muddy, 16 years ago when I first came to my wife place, and experienced the first Super Typhoon, Nov 1995, the water running thru the river is clear water. DENR is becoming part of a problem because of corruption which we cannot minimize since they themselves has to earn money to be able to send their children to school but would able to do so because of very salary in government service. The solution to government employee such us DENR is to make them part of the community or area they are assign. Let them plant trees such mahogany and should be able to harvest/cut the said tree in 10 to 15 years. Cutting of trees had to be done in a way to minimize harmful effect such erosion of soil, this has to be planned and in logical way to mitigate its effect. A novel way is to use the trees as a collateral to bank either to private bank/rural bank with guarranty from the goverment so the Planters such as the DENR employee can have the financial resources to send his/her children to school or whatever purpose they would require such money.
People who have vacant land in rural areas should plant trees such as mohagany. I ve just planted around 800 mohagany trees. I hope it will help me financially when I ve finally decide to retire and will also help our environment in one way, but we as part of a community should do our part and just do not blame our government which I myself really can say is useless. We as a citizen should not wait for government initiative because whatever funds that will be channeled to LGU's will surely be laible to corruption, I would say only 50% at igh side will trickle to its intended beneficiary, the rest would go to Lawmakers/Provincial/municipality/Barangay levels. We can do this by not selling our vote and we should contribute a small amount to the candidate we thought the right candidate for said position, with this, the candidate can start a clean slate when he assume the said office. We should follow how President Barrack was voted.
People’s bad attitude and ignorance
It is bad for people talking about Architect Falapox.
In the first place, it was the people’s responsibility to make sure the area where they live is safe for their family and property. Since we are a representative democracy, we hire a representative (like lawyers if you have a court case) during elections to do all this instead yourself. But, what if this representative were sleeping, careless or corrupt would it be proper to blame yourself first because you trust too much on your representative and do not ensure they did what they are suppose to be doing – protect life and property? And, ensure this representative will make measures like flood management control plan to minimize the effect if it should happened? Whatever happens to your neighborhood is your responsibility otherwise go to the proper authority to complain making sure it will be rectified and solve any issue you can think of any.
If you don’t know anything about drainage or flooding, it is your responsibility to educate yourself, like through website, instead of just leaving all the responsibility of your neighborhood to your local representative.
I am a practicing civil engineer and specialize in urban development myself (migrant) and the people should fell some kind of gratitude or felt fortunate that some expert/professional share his opinion free to the public for information. Please be constructive and be part of the solution instead of being a problem because you are very annoying.
Attitude is one thing Filipinos should also CHANGE.
ACT NOW! LESS TALK!
Go to your municipality or city hall and submit a complain demanding a proper rezoning of the affected area so that all houses, buildings, and structures along flood plains or flood prone areas be abandoned, condemned, or ensure no further development and probably reclassified it to a park and demand necessary action as required to minimize the effect of flooding. Or, whatever better solution from other experts recommendations may required. Please note that our governors and mayors were hired to specifically do this job – protecting its constituent including, life and properties, and make sure the required action is meet.
This is a better and more constructive or result oriented way of people participation other than just talking.
FILIPINOS START TO ACT NOW GO TO YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND EXPRESS YOUR OPINION AND BE INVOLVED WITH THE DECISION MAKING IN YOUR AREA BECAUSE FENCE SEATING CAN KILL YOU.
ACT NOW! LESS TALK! ACT NOW! LESS TALK! ACT NOW! LESS TALK! ACT NOW! LESS TALK! ACT NOW! LESS TALK! ACT NOW! LESS TALK! ACT NOW! LESS TALK!
urban planning and environmental services
The question that we would like to ask Architect Falapox is does he want to be paid or does he want to contribute for the country. Does he want to act under the spirit of volunteerism and do this for the Filipinos and the future generation and not for anything else? Or does he want to do be paid with modesty and the rest is to build a city for his fellow Filipinos. This is of course his choice. We appreciate that he is transparent in voicing out his views. It is good but in either case he needs to speak to the President. Being a leader does not just stop in voicing out your views. If you want things to happen you can help him get a meeting with the President, which we believe she will definitely accommodate. We do think that the President of the Philippines will welcome such beautiful concept. Yes indeed Architect Falapox have great skills as an architect and it would be good to see his masterpiece in his own country. Let all the Filipino architects, urban planners, and environmental planners work together and present in front of the President. ABN CBN can probably walk an extra mile for Architect Falapox and other architects and get a meeting for him at Malacanang. Sincerity to help should be accompanied with action in order come true.
Ganyan Ba Kabarat Ang Malakanyang?
Hindi naman siguro, bumabayad sila ng milyon milyon sa mga banyagang kontratista tulad ng ZTE at Fraport, bakit naman itong kapwa natin Pilipinong professional e pipilitin nating pagsilbihin ng walang bayad? Nagmagandang loob na nga sa kanyang panukala at marami naman ang sangayon sa mga sinasabi ni Architect Falapox, bakit hindi natin siya tratuhin ng tama?
Tiyak na nabasa na ito ni Ginang Pangulo, nasasa kanya na yan upang magpadala ng mensahe kay Ginoong Falapox upang magkaroon ng pangunang paguusap at PowerPoint Presentation nitong arkitekto sa Malakanyang. Nasasabi ko lang ito sapagka't hindi ko gustong makita na maging OFW na rin si Ginoong Falapox dahil sa siya'y wala nang tiwala sa kanyang mga kababayan.
I agree that an appropriate
I agree that an appropriate spillway need to be developed but I do not agree that vertical urbanism and high rising building is the ultimate solution to stop flooding. Not all that you see from other countries need to be copied exactly. Climate change is one of the contributor in this sad event but not the only contributor. You will see that Ketsana also took 94 lives in Vietnam as a result of the flood from the typhoon Ketsana. In short the urban infrastructure is not anymore updated or can cope with the changing weather climate. We also heard that a few gates of the dam was opened and this was a decision to mitigate a bigger impact. The dikes in the rural area was broken as we read in the news. Again it just tells you that it is not purely urban planning. It also involve pre-emptive measures prior the arrival of the typhoon. PAGASA we are sure is doing a good job but probably needs more than what is expected. Alert and the assessment on the level of the strength of the typhoon needs to be conservative. People need to be warned with near precision. Media needs to be proactive going forward in sending weather news and alert report. Filipinos need to be aware of global weather report to be updated on how the coming storm affected the other countries. Calamity drills should be a part of the community training in each barangay going forward.
I agree poor urban planning worsened the impact. But the solution is probably more to decentralize residential and business activities across the higher grounds within the region. This includes decentralizing access to jobs to people so they don’t dense in one place. You have to also consider that Philippines is in the earthquake belt hence high rising building is not really appropriate. What you see in Singapore and Hong Kong is not the type of lifestyle Filipinos are accustomed. The culture of a standard Filipino family is having its own backyard and not living in a building like environment. This is a culture that you need to keep because it will differentiate your community from the rest of other Asian countries who have become a financial hub. When developing your infrastructure going forward you have to strike a balance between having a metropolitan financial hub type of environment and family life style. You do not want to live in a house and yet feel as if you are still in the office. This article mentioned about copying the canals and ambiance of Paris. Do you see any high rising building in Paris? Of course the answer is no. Why because they want to maintain the culture and the character of France heritage. You should think the same. Copying the canals of Paris is a good idea but developing too much high rising building is not good.
I suggest that the urban planners and environmental planners approach the President of the Philippines and offer your services for free. We are sure that she will welcome this concept. The President of the Philippines did a lot of good changes during her administration. You are lucky to have a President who is an economist. She had a lot of good projects that propelled the economy of the Philippines. This article mentioned that urban planning was wrong since 1905 and 1940 and of course the President cannot just change everything overnight that was done wrongly since 1905. She was not even born then.
Ask not what the country can do for you but ask what you can do for the country. Go and see the President and offer your free services.
PRO-SOLUTION?
Mag-iingay man tayo na mag-ingay ay wla ring silbi kya ngayon palang simulan na natin ang pagbabago ito ay alang-alang sa mga susunod na generation, sa mga anak natin yon kung may natitira pang pagmamalasakit sa mga puso natin? this tragedy is real? this is life- a consequences of life kya dpat maging pro-solution tayo we need to focus the solution of our countrys problem not criticism?........we need to be realistic of what happen.....we need to participate everything what we think good for our country....we need to think how we can help our countrys change and survival of crisis that we face not of being judgemental.... be just that is nearer to piety!,,,,,and Act justly! Truly God loves those who are just!....... God Bless us all!............. peace............>
WHOS TO BLAME?
NO ONE? However, we have all the capacity to prevent it? We need to be proud of being Filipinos. Hindi pa huli ang lahat mga kababayan! Gusto natin ang Pagbabago? Simulan na natin ngayon? Parating na ang Eleksyon dpat matoto na tayo? A flood is created by heavy rain coz its last more than six hours so it is worst. However, I think the output is not just worst like this if this will be anticipated through many factors on how to prevent flooding if the waters directly flow in a right way. I think the casualties are not just worst numbers like this if the idea of Mr. Palafox is applied through proper urban planning. So, now what you think? Who has to blame dba tayo rin? Sino ba pumili sa mga nakaupo sa gobyerno ngaun dba tayo rin? Now a time for change! Lets 4get da past we need a brand new start and we need a good leader that leads us through transparent good governance! Vote Wisely! Stop blaming each other...we need to start it by ourselves.............................peace!>
pinas wont change
HINDI NA MGBABAGO ANG PILIPINAS KAHIT KAILAN SA MGA PULITIKO PA LNG SIRAAN NA , KAPWA PINOY NAG SISIRAAN,,OO NAGTUTULUNGAN ANG MGA PINOY PERO HANGANG DUN LNG TYO PERO SA PG UNLAD WALA NA MANGYAYARI SA PINAS HANGAT HINDI MAWALA ANG PAGIGNG PAGIGING INGITIRO NG PINOY...KNG TATAAS ANG ISANG INDIVIDUAL MAY HAHATAK SA KANYA PABABA AT GANYAN ANG UGALI NG PINOY INGGITIRO KAHIT KAILAN AT DI LNG PG MAINGGIT MANGUNGURAKOT AGAD KAYA WAG NA TAYONG UMASA NA MG BABAGO ANG PINAS NO HOPE IKA NGA...TINGNAN NTIN MGKAKAROON NG PROJECT AT GAGAWA NG BYPASS CANAL GOING TO CAVITE SEA AT SA SUNOD NYAN MARAMI NAMAN SKANDALO SA PG KUKURAKOT NG PERA MULA SA PROJECT NA YAN... AT ANG BUONG CAVITE NA NAMAN ANG LULUBOG AHHHH ...