House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III and a delegation of lawmakers were welcomed recently by Laguna Governor Sol Aragones and Calamba City officials as LegisHear brought discussions on a comprehensive flood mitigation and management plan for the Laguna Lake Basin directly to residents and stakeholders.
Hosted by Calamba City Lone District Representative Charisse Anne “Cha” Hernandez, the consultation gave communities an opportunity to raise concerns and share recommendations on addressing recurring flooding, protecting livelihoods and improving the condition of Laguna Lake.
In her welcome remarks, Aragones stressed the crucial role of laws in maintaining order and protecting people, noting that laws provide both benefits and penalties needed for communities to function.
“Ang batas ang nagtatakda at gumagawa ng linya para magkaroon ng kaayusan.”
“Ang batas ang nagtatakda at gumagawa ng linya para magkaroon ng kaayusan,” the lady governor said.
“Kailangan ang batas. At nagpapasalamat po tayo sa buong pwersa ng Kongreso dahil inilalapit niyo sa tao, dahil inilalapit niyo sa lalawigan ng Laguna para magkaroon sila ng boses sa paggawa ng batas,” she stressed.
The Calamba leg continued the House of Representatives’ public consultation program under Speaker Dy and Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, bringing lawmakers to communities to hear firsthand the experiences and priorities of the people affected by proposed measures.
“Tandaan ninyo, importante na bahagi kayo dahil ang batas ay pwedeng gumuhit ng magandang kinabukasan ng bawat isa sa inyo,” Aragones said.
Senior Deputy Speaker and South Cotabato 2nd District Representative Ferdinand “Dinand” Hernandez said LegisHear seeks to translate the concerns of ordinary citizens, farmers, and other sectors into laws that improve their lives.
“Nandito po kami ngayon upang makipag-usap, upang makinig, upang ipaabot ninyo sa amin ano pa ang mga batas na napaka-importante.”
“Nandito po kami ngayon upang makipag-usap, upang makinig, upang ipaabot ninyo sa amin ano pa ang mga batas na napaka-importante na makakatulong sa buhay ng isang ordinaryong mamamayan. Lalo na po ‘yung masa, lalo na po ‘yung mga farmers,” Hernandez said.
The consultation tackled House Resolution No. 906, which urges relevant government agencies to adopt and implement a comprehensive, sustainable and integrated flood mitigation and management plan for the Laguna Lake Basin anchored on the updated Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) Comprehensive Master Development Plan.
Recommended under Committee Report No. 235 of the Special Committee on Southern Tagalog Development, the resolution consolidated four earlier proposals. Its authors are Laguna 2nd District Rep. Ramil Hernandez, Biñan City Lone District Rep. Walfredo “Arman” Dimaguila Jr., Santa Rosa City Lone District Rep. Roy Gonzales, Rep. Cha Hernandez, and Laguna 1st District Rep. Ann Matibag.
The measure seeks a coordinated response to flooding that accounts for watershed conditions, river inflows, sedimentation and land use. It calls for integrating infrastructure projects with reforestation, erosion control and other nature-based solutions.
Among its proposed actions are an independent technical evaluation and flood modeling of the Parañaque Spillway Project, an updated survey of the lake’s depth and capacity, and targeted, science-based dredging of river mouths and key tributaries. It also calls for safeguards and livelihood restoration plans for fisherfolk affected by major infrastructure projects.
Joining Speaker Dy were SDS Hernandez, Deputy Speaker and Pangasinan 3rd District Rep. Rachel Arenas, Rep. Matibag, Rep. Ramil Hernandez, Laguna 3rd District Rep. Loreto Amante, Laguna 4th District Rep. Benjie Agarao, Rep. Gonzales, and Rep. Dimaguila Jr.
The delegation also included Aklan 1st District Rep. Jess Marquez, Zamboanga Sibugay 1st District Rep. Marlo Bancoro, Cavite 7th District Rep. Ping Remulla, Southern Leyte 2nd District Rep. Coco Yap, Agusan del Sur 1st District Rep. Alfel Bascug, Agusan del Norte Lone District Rep. Dale Corvera, Isabela 1st District Rep. Tonypet Albano, and House Secretary General Atty. Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil.
