'Politics killed Laguna lake project'

MANILA, Philippines - Laguna Gov. Jeorge ER Ejercito denounced yesterday the national government for canceling the rehabilitation of Laguna de Bay.

“It appears those around the President were withholding some facts or twisting some facts on the project,” he said.

Ejercito said President Aquino’s advisers were playing politics in seeking the cancellation of the contract for the rehabilitation of Laguna de Bay.

“It is a betrayal of Aquino’s vow to serve the people to their best interests,” he said.

Ejercito said since Aquino assumed power, Liberal Party members have been “in haste” to abrogate the P18.7-billion project without considering the merits.

“They have been trumpeting that corruption tainted the project,” he said.

“But where is their evidence? They’re saying the project was overpriced. But what is their basis? In their effort to find fault of the past administration, Laguna residents were at the receiving end of their vengeful politics.

“What are the recommendations/findings of the economic team? How come they have not made it public? Was it because it will not serve their purpose?”

Ejercito said he was pushing for the contract to rehabilitate Laguna de Bay, knowing the economic and social benefits that the project would bring to his constituents.

Laguna de Bay, one of the few remaining living lakes in the world, has been in dire need of rehabilitation after years of neglect and indifference, he added.

Ejercito said the national government’s one-sided move to cancel the project smacks of politics since it did not consult local governments which would be directly affected.

“Are we the sacrificial lambs in this game of national politics?” he asked.

Ejercito said Aquino has betrayed the people of Laguna who have voted for him.

“Mr. President, I hope you will listen to your constituents here in Laguna and reconsider your position,” he said.

“They are depending on your wisdom for their lives and livelihood. Do not let destructive politics get in the way.”

No proposed solution has been made to improve the water holding capacity of Laguna de Bay, which has become shallower because of silt and garbage until Belgian firm BDZ had submitted its proposal to rehabilitate the lake, Ejercito said.

The national government has discontinued the Laguna Lake Rehabilitation Project proposed by BDZ with the backing of the Belgian government.

A notice of award has already been given to BDZ after the project underwent rigid study and assessment by economic and finance department officials.

Ignoring the findings of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima that the project is “legally tenable,” the administration decided to set aside the contract on grounds that it was tainted with corruption.

The project underwent strict review and analysis from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Finance, National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Justice before it was approved.