Matinding pagbaha: Ano ba talaga ang dahilan? | Agenda

Summary

In this insightful conversation, veteran urban planner Jun Palox reflects on the urban challenges faced by Metro Manila, stemming from rapid urbanization, inadequate infrastructure, and poor planning. He highlights the recurring issues of flooding, traffic, and waste management, which have worsened over time due to corruption and insufficient action. Palox proposes long-term solutions, such as a tunnel spillway to manage floods, and advocates for a shift toward more transparent and efficient processes in flood control and infrastructure projects. He also discusses the complex issue of land reclamation, stressing the importance of proper planning and engineering.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rapid urbanization in Metro Manila has outpaced infrastructure development, resulting in flooding, traffic, and waste management problems.
• 😀 Flood control systems in the city are outdated, designed for 25-year return floods but now overwhelmed by more frequent extreme weather events.
• 😀 Corruption within infrastructure projects has led to substandard execution, with up to 70% of budgets potentially siphoned off, worsening the situation.
• 😀 The 1970s Metroplan Manila project foresaw catastrophic flooding and urban issues if no action was taken, but recommendations have not been fully implemented.
• 😀 Palox stresses the importance of addressing flood control issues immediately, highlighting the need for both short-term and long-term solutions.
• 😀 The spillway project, which would divert floodwaters, is essential to managing flooding, but it has faced resistance and delays over the years.
• 😀 The reclamation of land in Manila Bay, if done properly with due diligence, can be beneficial, but improper planning could harm the environment and communities.
• 😀 The concept of land recovery (as seen in Bulakan’s airport project) is considered more suitable than reclamation, as it involves using titled land rather than creating new land from the sea.
• 😀 Despite billions allocated for flood control, much of the funding has been misused, either through corruption or poor project execution.
• 😀 Palox emphasizes the need for transparency in bidding processes and the monitoring of infrastructure projects to ensure that specifications are met and projects are completed as planned.

Q & A

What was the Metroplan Manila project, and what role did the speaker play in it?

The Metroplan Manila project was a strategic plan for the Manila Bay region, initiated after the 1977 floods. The speaker was a team leader and senior planner for the UNDP-funded Manila Bay Region Strategic Plan.

What did the speaker mean by 'sin of omission' in relation to the 1977 floods?

The speaker argued that the catastrophic flooding was not an act of God but a failure of the government's planning and action. He believed that the solutions to prevent flooding were available but not implemented.

How did the speaker highlight the significance of the flood in terms of urban land?

The speaker pointed out that the flooding affected 90,000 hectares of urban land, which is larger than Singapore (73,000 hectares), demonstrating the magnitude of the problem.

What key recommendations did the speaker propose to address flood issues in Metro Manila?

The speaker proposed a 10-year program, including the creation of a tunnel spillway connecting Laguna Lake to Manila Bay, similar to a project implemented in Kuala Lumpur. This would help manage floodwaters effectively.

Why does the speaker believe flood control projects are not yielding results despite large budgets?

The speaker attributes the inefficiency of flood control projects to corruption. He suggests that contractors may be asked to cut corners, which reduces the quality and effectiveness of infrastructure.

What does the speaker propose as a solution to improve transparency in infrastructure projects?

The speaker suggests making the bidding process more transparent, possibly by televising it and ensuring that people know who is winning the bids and the details of the projects.

What is the speaker's stance on reclamation projects in Manila Bay?

The speaker is generally supportive of reclamation if it is done properly with good planning and engineering. He accepts land recovery projects like the one in Bulakan but emphasizes the importance of due diligence.

How did the speaker differentiate between reclamation and land recovery?

Reclamation involves creating new land from the sea, while land recovery refers to the restoration of land that was previously reclaimed but is now in a deteriorated state. The speaker supports land recovery when it is done well, like in the Bulakan project.

What concerns does the speaker have regarding reclamation projects attached to the mainland?

The speaker is concerned that reclamation projects attached to the mainland could increase the watershed and disrupt ecosystems. He also emphasizes the need for future planning for navigation, especially for fisherfolk and cruise ships.

What does the speaker think about the dolomite beach project in Manila Bay?

The speaker acknowledges that the concept of the dolomite beach is good, but he believes it may not have been executed properly. He is especially concerned about the lack of open spaces for the local population and whether coastal engineering was considered in the project.