Creation of body to save Lake Lanao urged

MANILA, Philippines - The province of Lanao Del Sur headed by Lanao Del Sur Gov. Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong Jr. is urging Congress to pass pending bills creating the Lake Lanao Development Authority (LLDA) so as to save the lake from imminent destruction and make it more beneficial to the people of Lanao del Sur and neighboring areas in Mindanao.

Dr. Masahisa Nakamura, chairman of the International Lake Environment Committee Foundation, Inc., underscored the need for sustained integrative management approaches that were “proven effective” in the preservation of the 28 great lakes of the world, citing Lake Lanao’s potential inclusion to the list.

Nakamura said Lake Lanao, touted as one of the world’s oldest lakes, could be preserved efficaciously only with the efficient government intervention in collaboration with local stakeholders.

Nakamura’s concerns have stimulated the local clamor for the LLDA creation through the passage of enabling bills pending at the Senate and House of Representatives.

The bills have passed committee-level deliberations at the Senate and the Lower House on sponsorship of Sen. Loren Legarda and Lanao del Sur Rep. Pangalian Balindong, respectively, but much have to be done yet for the measures to reach plenary discussions, stakeholders said.