AFTER typhoon Ondoy left large parts of Metro Manila underwater, leaders of a housing development group in Central Visayas called on the public and private sectors to work together in promoting sustainable development and effective urban planning.
These two measures could help urban areas in the region avoid a tragedy similar to what typhoon Ondoy caused, said Subdivision and Housing Developers Association-Central Visayas (SHDA-CV), Inc. president Rey Ralota.
Sun.Star accepts donations for victims of Typhoon Ondoy
In an interview, he said that practices of sustainable development, which involve building houses that meet the needs of present generations without sacrificing the future generation, are significant in preventing calamities like floods.
He cited the installation of rainwater catchments in houses, which will contribute to water conservation and flood control.
SHDA-CV vice president Ariel Jose Mercado added that proper waste segregation will also contribute considerably in de-clogging urban waterways.
“Problems should be addressed by the private sector and the government. The approach should be wholistic,” said Ralota and Mercado.
Sustainable development also requires a strong relationship between property developers and government agencies like the Environmental Management Bureau in implementing government laws on environmental protection, Ralota said.
He believes that what happened in Marikina City after typhoon Ondoy will not happen in Cebu because these areas’ geographic features differ.
But he still raised the need for good urban planning to protect the province from similar tragedies. He suggested the monitoring of waterways like rivers and canals and
ensuring that they are kept clean and unobstructed.
Meanwhile, Ralota noticed an increasing number of Manila buyers of condominiums in Cebu. These buyers, who want to transfer to Cebu where it is less polluted and has less traffic compared to Metro Manila, are either buying or renting condominium units.
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