Cayetano to DOTr Secretary: Take a closer look at Laguna Lake

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to take a closer look at Laguna Lake and explore its potential as a major driver of development and connectivity across Luzon.

During the Commission on Appointments' ad interim appointment for Vince Dizon as the new Transportation Secretary on June 3, Cayetano revisited a vision they had previously discussed.

This vision aims to decongest Metro Manila by promoting development in surrounding areas such as Laguna Lake.

"Pakitingnan nang mabuti y'ung Laguna Lake. Buong Singapore ay kasya [diyan] at kung maayos lang [ay malaki ang potential]," he said.

Cayetano has consistently raised this call, especially during the Senate Committee on Finance's deliberations on the proposed 2025 national budget where he urged concerned agencies like DOTr and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct thorough studies and consider creating a comprehensive development plan for the country's largest lake.

"I see the Laguna Lake. I see the authority, but where's the development? Kasi LLDA y'on eh. Today ang major project pa rin lang ay y'ung fishponds pa rin," he said.

According to the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), the lake currently supports several important functions, including fisheries, flood control, power generation, irrigation, recreation, and domestic water supply.

However, it faces serious ecological problems such as poor waste management, pollution, flooding, sedimentation, declining water quality, and loss of biodiversity.

Cayetano said if done right, the development of Laguna Lake could become a long-term national investment.

"Ilabas na sa Metro Manila yung development. Can you imagine if mabuhay iyon at ma-interconnect mo ang buong Rizal at buong Laguna? Of course kasama na y'ung parts ng Metro Manila," he said.

Cayetano sa DOTr Secretary: Pag-aralan nang mabuti ang Laguna Lake

Hinimok ni Senador Alan Peter Cayetano nitong Martes ang Department of Transportation (DOTr) na bigyang pansin ang Laguna Lake at pag-aralan ang posibilidad nitong maging susi sa kaunlaran at konektibidad sa buong Luzon.

Sa pagdinig ng Commission on Appointments nitong June 3 para sa ad interim appointment ni Vince Dizon bilang bagong Transportation Secretary, muling binanggit ni Cayetano ang dati na nilang napag-usapang plano.

Ang layunin ng planong ito ay mapaluwag ang Metro Manila sa pamamagitan ng pagsuporta sa pag-unlad ng mga karatig-lugar, kabilang ang paligid ng Laguna Lake.

"Pakitingnan nang mabuti y'ung Laguna Lake. Buong Singapore ay kasya [diyan] at kung maayos lang [ay malaki ang potential]," sabi ni Cayetano.

Matagal nang itinutulak ni Cayetano ang panawagang ito, lalo na sa mga pagdinig ng Senate Committee on Finance kaugnay ng panukalang 2025 national budget.

Nanawagan siya sa mga ahensya tulad ng DOTr at Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) na magsagawa ng masusing pag-aaral at bumuo ng isang komprehensibong development plan para sa pinakamalaking lawa sa bansa.

"I see the Laguna Lake. I see the authority, but where's the development? Kasi LLDA y'on eh. Today ang major project pa rin lang ay y'ung fishponds pa rin," sabi niya.

Ayon sa Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), maraming gamit ang Laguna Lake gaya ng pangingisda, pagkontrol sa baha, paggawa ng kuryente, irigasyon, at suplay ng tubig sa mga karatig na kabahayan.

Ngunit may mabibigat din itong kinakaharap na problema gaya ng hindi maayos na pamamahala sa basura, polusyon, mababang kalidad ng tubig, at pagkawala ng biodiversity.

Para kay Cayetano, kung maayos ito at mapapaunlad, maaaring maging long-term national investment ang Laguna Lake.

"Ilabas na sa Metro Manila y'ung development. Can you imagine if mabuhay iyon at ma-interconnect mo ang buong Rizal at buong Laguna? Of course kasama na y'ung parts ng Metro Manila," sabi ng senador.