During the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) 2027 budget briefing, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano pressed the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) on its enforcement of permit requirements around Laguna Lake, stressing the need for consistent application of its rules to all projects and a fair way forward for long-running public works built under earlier permit practices.
“Just treat everything equally,” Cayetano told LLDA Acting General Manager Engr. Leopoldo Parumog.
“Just treat everything equally.”
“‘Pag sinabing doon ay flood control [project] iyon, at hindi kailangan ng reclamation permit, ganoon din dapat ‘yung LLRN (Laguna Lakeshore Road Network) Highway, ganoon din dapat ‘yung sa Angono [Rizal], ganoon din dapat ‘yung sa Muntinlupa. Ngayon, kung sinabi niyong kailangan ng permit, dahil lahat kailangan ng permit, [then they will comply],” the veteran legislator continued.
This came after LLDA officials discussed regulatory requirements for projects along the Taguig Lakeshore and other parts of Laguna Lake, including public works built over several administrations under earlier agency practices.
The seasoned lawmaker proposed that infrastructure projects that have long been existing for years should also undergo the same enforcement scrutiny and regulatory requirements.
“If that construction has been going on for the last 20 years, ire-retroact ninyo, or will you provide a path forward?” the senator pressed.
“I do support 100 percent ‘yung paghihigpit ng LLDA. I do support strict, reasonable, relevant rules and regulations and implementation. Ito lang question ko: Is it for all or is it selective? Number two, is it authentic or is it political?” he added.
Cayetano cited several public works around Laguna Lake, including the Mangahan and West of Mangahan floodway projects, road expansions, linear parks, and projects in Muntinlupa, which he said were undertaken at a time when LLDA did not require the permits now being sought.
“Sabihin ninyo sa kanila na ‘Mag-comply kayo,’ hindi ‘yung biglaan ninyo silang kakasuhan.”
“Sabihin ninyo sa kanila na ‘Mag-comply kayo,’ hindi ‘yung biglaan ninyo silang kakasuhan dahil walang mga permit na noong time na iyon ay hindi ninyo nire-require,” he said.
“Kasi noong time na iyon, ‘pag flood control, road, park, they do not consider it reclamation projects. That’s why you didn’t ask for that,” Cayetano added.
During the hearing, he asked LLDA officials who the project proponent or implementing agency was for most of the projects under discussion, to which an LLDA official replied that it was the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“Sa manual ng DPWH, sino dapat ang kumuha ng permit? Sila. Sino’ng hindi kumuha ng permit? DPWH. Ano’ng kasalanan ng Taguig [ngayon]?” Cayetano said.
He said disagreements among national agencies over requirements and jurisdiction should not result in a local government being portrayed as primarily responsible for problems involving nationally funded projects.
“Dalawang departamento kayong nagbabanggaan, pero sa media, ang pinapalabas ninyo na ang may problema ay ang Taguig,” he said.
Cayetano maintained that stricter enforcement and inspections are welcome as long as agencies apply the rules fairly and consistently.
“No one is above the law. I’m just saying, just be fair,” he concluded.
