H.B. 2963 - LLDA Reorganization Act of 2008 PUSHED

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The urgency of approving House Bill No.2963 or the “LLDA Reorganization Act 2008” is the theme of the privilege speech delivered by Cong. Edgar San Luis of 4th district of Laguna and author of the bill last October 5, 2009 at the House of the Representatives.

The author recalled the significance of the bill after we witnessed the aftermath given by typhoon “Ondoy” to several towns and cities. And it was proposed to strengthen the enforcement powers of LLDA and effectively put into action its mandate.

“Now you may ask what the relevance is of Laguna Lake to the recent tragedy that was the worst in recent history – almost 300 people dead and some P6 billion damage to agriculture and fisheries and almost half a billion people displaced in a matter of hours. From 16 meters deep some years back, the lake as a result of unmitigated siltation principally brought about by the destruction of its watershed and the uncontrolled rise of informal settlers in the region, has been reduced to just eight meters in depth” said Cong. San Luis as he reiterate the awareness of the House to pay interest to his bill filed last two years ago.

“H.B. 2963 seeks to address that enforcement gap by authorizing LLDA to create its own lake police force in coordination with the PNP, a step patterned after the more successful lake authorities in other parts of the world,” San Luis added.

One of the salient features in the bill is the creation of the Lake Police Force in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) that will aid the authority in effectively enforcing its laws, rules and regulations including apprehensions of environmental violators.

As the first step, the LLDA in cooperation with the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, recently launched a Lake Patrol which will prevent informal settlers from going back to their shanties after being displaced by the typhoon and also put a stop to the reconstruction of illegal aqua structures.

“GM Manda has correctly explained that fish pens alone do not make the lake flood-prone. The unnoticed destruction of the Bay region’s watershed has no doubt contributed heavily to why the region, that includes Metro Manila (that’s why the MMDA Chairman sits in the LLDA Board), has become flood-prone in recent years. In other words, this may not be the time to be filing legal suits against anybody as when you point a finger to someone, the other fingers may be pointing at you.” as Cong. San Luis mentioned on the condition of fish pens in the lake.

Furthermore, Cong. San Luis addressed the President to call for a summit wherein all the experts, related government agencies and private sector to convene in crafting a long-term plan together where all of them are major stakeholders to address the problem.

“Our power of the purse can be made to work for that purpose – more so now that we are in the midst of budget deliberations. I submit that we all take cognizance of this as a priority. We can do no less.” said as he ended up his speech.

To date, the said bill has two versions on the senate: 1. Senate Bill No. 2534, entitled, An Act to Reorganize the LLDA, appropriating funds therefore and other purposes authored by Sen. Loren Legarda and; 2. Senate Bill No. 3428 entitled An Act to strengthen the LLDA, repealing for this purpose Republic Act No. 4850, as amended, otherwise known as the LLDA Act of 1966, and for other purposes authored by Senator Gordon. The said bills were now on its deliberation process on the senate.