Poor urban planning caused floods

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu’s flooding problem is caused by poor urban planning and not mainly the fault of real estate developers, said a real estate expert.

Cebu’s efforts to position itself as a preferred second-home destination will be futile if the government continues to play “deaf and passive” to the calls for immediate resolution to the province’s flooding problems.

Real estate market and promoter Anthony Leuterio said that although investors’ interest to acquire properties in Cebu is still on a high note, the flooding problem on the other hand should serve as a wakeup call to government officials that such issue will weaken Cebu’s attractiveness if the problem persists and worsens.

Leuterio, who operates one of the biggest real estate brokerage firms in Cebu and the entire country with over 2,000 agents promoting and selling real estate properties and projects here and abroad, said that the government especially those that are currently leading the system should take full responsibility on what is happening in Cebu right now.

"This is not the fault of developers," he said the government in the first place is the one who approves every project before it could start. Giving permits to developers with no proper sewerage plans, among others is already an irresponsible action that contributes to the flooding issue.

Leuterio, who is also the president of Philippine Allied Chamber of Real Estate Brokers and Licensed Salesmen, said that while this kind of problem is evident in developing urban cities like Cebu, the government should not wait to see Cebu slipping its opportunity in the long term, and it should develop a good urban planning now.

At present, while the flooding has already affected tourism, investment, and second home destination bid, real estate marketers like him could only opt to advice buyers to choose properties located on higher grounds.

Out of 100 buyers, at least one or two percent only expressed strong concern on flooding--as of now.  But, if the government will continue to be complacent, this could turn around Cebu's potential in major areas.

Leuterio joins the call of other sectors in the society, like businessmen, developers and even the civil society to make their voice be heard by the government officials, both local government units, and the national level.

Earlier, the tourism sector, and business players have already made their call government’s attention, and demanded for prompt action on this matter.

Currently, Cebu has over 100 new approved real estate projects to be built in Metro Cebu area, this include condominiums, pocket subdivisions, commercial buildings. If the government is not going to catch up with the development growth, one can only imagine what Cebu will become in the next few years.

However, Leuterio is confident that government leaders, as Cebuanos themselves will not let Cebu get "drowned", and hopes that something is already being done to solve this concern.

Capitalist and tourism leader Jay Jonathan Aldeguer in a separate interview yesterday, said that infrastructure is the key to "booming" economy--particularly tourism in the Philippines.

"We are not even talking about nautical highways and bridges. Even basic roads and sewerage system is not addressed for a top destination like Cebu. We can compete if we dont rectify as soon as possible, " said Aldeguer. (FREEMAN)