ASIA/PHILIPPINES – National emergency declared after typhoons: “The construction boom is also a problem”

Manila – A rapid succession of catastrophic typhoons has prompted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare a one-year national emergency. The Philippines were recently hit by devastating floods caused by Typhoon Tino, which struck the Visayas on November 4, 2025. While the country was still in the throes of the crisis, another super typhoon, Uwan, hit Luzon, causing storm surges, flooding, and landslides. Typhoon Fung-wong swept across the northern islands on November 9, causing widespread flooding, with the Cagayan Valley among the hardest hit areas, where farmland, infrastructure, and urban areas were inundated. Approximately 2 million people were displaced.
Natural disasters have reignited the public debate about preventative measures, as government officials and private entrepreneurs have misappropriated funds intended for disaster prevention projects, to the detriment of the most vulnerable populations.
Regarding the damage in urban areas, Catholic architect Felino Palafox, who has worked in urban planning for 50 years, emphasized in a report for ANC News Channel that the loss of open space in city centers like Greater Manila is a major contributing factor to flooding. The construction boom and the conversion of open space into roads and skyscrapers are a consequence of urbanization and population growth, driven by the increasing demand for housing and commercial development. “Is the conversion of open space into buildable land, even if it is approved, morally and ethically justifiable? The primary motivation is profit,” he said. Open spaces are “the green lungs of the city, used for rainwater harvesting, social interaction, and as evacuation areas,” he stressed.
The urban architect addressed the administrative officials, as well as industry professionals, reminding them that the shared national interest lies in “protecting human life and social justice while respecting the environment.” “Only then,” he said, “can we focus on economic goals without forgetting history, heritage, and interreligious spirituality. It is essential to find a balance between all these factors.” Palafox emphasized the importance of professional ethics, “which should compel architects and engineers to prioritize the health and safety of citizens and reject bribes from clients or project developers,” he said.

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