The Philippine Online Chronicles

A militant fisherfolk group is opposing the proposed Laguna Lake development project due to the possible eviction of nearly four million residents in the area.

The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said on Sunday that the construction of a 100-kilometer ring dike along Laguna Lake would lead to the demolition of the residential area along the shores of the lake.

The project would affect fisherfolk, farmers and other residents, said Pamalakaya.

Pamalakaya chair Fernando Hicap said in a report that the project was one of the 54 proposed dredging, rehabilitation and eco-tourism projects for Laguna Lake that will be implemented in partnership with private entities.

The ring dike project, which is under the Laguna Lake Master Plan 2020 of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), aims to revive the lake which has been severely affected by pollution, property encroachment and environmental degradation.

The P200-billion in funds for this project will come from corporate funds of LLDA and investments, loans and grants from foreign lending and funding institutions.

Other projects to be implemented around Laguna Lake include the construction of a ring dike from Taytay, Rizal to Sta. Cruz, Laguna, promotion of eco-tourism in the area, setting-up of a ferry station, enhancement of the lake's potential to become a source of fresh water for Metro Manila residents, construction of an international airport, and other projects intended to promote the region's economic development.

Hicap argued the main purpose of the ring dike project is not rehabilitation but privatization of the area.

LLDA general manager Rod Cabrera earlier said that aside from the reduction of flooding in cities and towns near the area, the project would also prevent informal settlers from encroaching on the area. He said that around 300,000 residents would be affected by the project and would have to be relocated.

“We are envisioning the lake as a multipurpose lake catering to needs of stakeholders in the area,” Cabrera said in a forum.

President Benigno Aquino III approved the project last December, to take the place of the P18.7-billion Laguna Lake Dredging Project that a Belgian firm was supposed to undertake. The proposal was scrapped due to alleged irregularities in the project.