LLDA starts Laguna Lake rehab

MANILA, Philippines - The rehabilitation of Laguna Lake under Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) under its new chief, Neric Acosta, kicked off yesterday with a tree planting activity and the cleanup of the riverbanks along Barangay Napindan in Taguig City.

Acosta said these activities are among the “short term” plans to save the biggest lake in the country, where “25 percent of the (whole) population is dependent (on).”

He said 70 percent of the fish supply in Metro Manila also comes from the lake.

“We all have a stake in the lake’s future. This is the biggest lake in the country. The lake is a source not only of water but also food,” he told The STAR.

“If we allow it to continue na ganito lang then the conditions of the lake will make it even harder to support life for Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Rizal province,” he added.

Yesterday’s activity coincides with LLDA’s 42nd anniversary.

The celebration, which Acosta called “symbolic” was participated in by local government leaders, whose areas of jurisdiction are directly affected by Laguna Lake. 

Among them were Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano and Laguna Gov. ER Ejercito Estregan. Volunteers and representatives of Petron Corp. also participated in planting bamboo trees along C-6 road.

Acosta said the rehabilitation of Laguna Lake under his term, will take one to five years.