Over-Development

10/21/2010

We seem to have a way of self destructing. When we see a good thing, it is in our nature to use, over-use, and abuse that good thing, not knowing when to stop.

Boracay was once a pristine island. But its beauty attracted so many to the point of its near-destruction. Somewhere in the last decade, they lost control over the developments there. Any attempt to regulate and police construction on the islands just started and ended with the term of each local authority. There may have been laws in place but there is a lack of political will to enforce them.

The same is true with Tagaytay. The city used to have very strict building regulations; but now, the once green city has become a concrete jungle. Sooner or later, the cool breeze it has been known for will be gone because there will be more concrete than greenery.

In Baguio, the fresh pine scented air has been replaced with sickening diesel fumes. So much of the natural terrain has been carved out to make way for property development.

Even in the remote Tubataha Reefs, we have been too lax about the number and quality of divers allowed to visit the park and this has taken its toll as well. I shudder to imagine any more commercialization within the area.

Even the parks and free spaces very near our homes, which are often the only remaining greenbelt within the metropolis, are being built over with barangay halls, commercial centers, parking lots, and covered courts. Is this really the road to “development” or is this the certain way to our demise?

The authorities probably mean well, trying to chalk up brownie points for spending on infrastructure projects, but they may not be aware of the effects of all these man-made structures on our ecological future. Perhaps, some could be driven by greed, since more buildings mean potentially more income-generating space. Some are not aware that they have put nature on the balance, just on the verge of self destruction. We lack the awareness about, much less the will, to preserve a good thing. That is a sad commentary about development, an even sadder epitaph to nature.

In other countries, these natural gems are zealously protected. They know that when abused the natural attractions will be gone and cannot be replaced. Even in the middle of real-estate hungry New York City, their people have chosen to maintain the green expanse that is Central Park! In our case, unfortunately, no one cares enough to do something about over-development. We must resolve to analyze every building project and see how it will affect our surroundings, our environment, our future. We must put more effort in reinstating nature in our communities. If there is a choice between constructing and planting, we must always give Nature a fighting chance.