Philippines: An urban planner pleas for improved governance
The Philippines news agency ABS-CBN reports on the urban planner Felino Palafox Jr's criticism of Government agencies and private developers whom he claims 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 Palafox, a 1977 World Bank-funded study identified Marikina Valley, the western shores of Laguna de Bay, and the Manila Bay coastal areas as areas at risk, that should prepare for flooding, earthquakes and potential geographical changes.