Subject: House Bill reaffirms LLDA mandate

Last year, House Bill No. 2963 or the “LLDA Reorganization Act of 2008” was certified as “priority” by the House of Representatives. Author Representative Edgar San Luis of the 4^th District of Laguna proposed the measure to empower the LLDA and effectively put into action its mandate.

HB 2963 incorporates the creation of a lake police force for a more vigorous enforcement of the fishery and environmental rules and regulations promulgated by the LLDA. It will also seek the inclusion of the cities of Makati , Mandaluyong and San Juan and the town of General Mariano Alvarez in Cavite in its administrative jurisdiction. Presently, there are 47 towns and 14 cities under its current sanction.

The bill empowers LLDA to issue Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECC) and Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) in Laguna de Bay Region to effect a one-stop shop in acquiring such permits as previously authorized by President Arroyo through DENR Secretary Mike Defensor. Defensor transferred to LLDA the authority to issue/deny ECC/CNC during a Pulong Bayan Held in Santa Rosa , Laguna on August 11, 2004 in response to calls from the business sector to put up a one-stop shop in acquiring clearances.

However, the full delegation of the authority to issue/deny ECC/CNC was not realized because DENR Administrative No. 42 required that approval/confirmation has remained with the Office of the DENR Secretary. LLDA merely processed applications for ECCs.

Stakeholders and representatives from different LGUs within the Laguna Lake Region also expressed support to the proposed House Bill. They concur with the idea as it is LLDA’s responsibility to reclaim and salvage the country’s largest freshwater body. Without this mandate, the LLDA is encumbered in realizing this.

Stakeholders and concerned LGUs clamor for the “delineation of functions between the LLDA and other government agencies’ powers and functions to effectively implement its mandate and avoid conflicts and deviations.

Consultation meetings are being conducted regularly and this issue has been marked as priority.

In one of these consultation meetings, Mayor Calixto Cataquiz of San Pedro, Laguna, former general manager of LLDA, agreed that HB 2963 must immediately be implemented. Supporting LLDA he said: “LLDA rightfully belongs to the Office of the President and the President fully supports the authority’s critical role in cleaning up the lake.

In 1993, LLDA was transferred under the administrative supervision of the DENR from the Office of the President. Executive power of the lake authority, however, remained at the seat of the LLDA general manager.

Mayor Cataquiz expressed belief that the LLDA should be given teeth to effectively enforce its mandate to protect and conserve Laguna Lake.

Rosendo Ver, president of the Concerned Employees of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (CELLDA), commended Congressman San Luis is supporting not only LLDA but the immediate communities around it. “We can see here the work of a true gentleman who works systematically and logically keeping in mind a long-time effect instead of politicking for other reasons”, Ver said. –end-

Public Information Unit

Subject: House Bill reaffirms LLDA mandate