Laguna lawmakers are pressing for plenary approval of House Resolution No. 906 to establish a comprehensive flood mitigation and management master plan for the Laguna Lake basin.
The legislative push gained momentum following the LegisHear regional consultation led by House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III in Calamba City, which unified local officials behind a coordinated response to recurring provincial flooding.
Speaking at a news briefing following the consultation, Biñan City Lone District Rep. Walfredo “Arman” R. Dimaguila Jr. stated that the lake’s reduced water storage capacity represents a shared problem requiring collective action among national agencies, municipalities, and cities.
“Ito yung purpose ng LegisHear. Napag-isa natin ang boses at na-identify natin ang isang problema na common sa maraming lungsod at maraming bayan dito sa Laguna,” Dimaguila said.
Dimaguila also raised environmental concerns regarding the ongoing construction of the Laguna Lake Road Network, noting that while portions utilize elevated viaducts, other segments use land embankments placed along the shoreline. Dimaguila warned that shoreline fill operations risk further shrinking the lake’s natural water retention capacity.
“So ibig sabihin, lalong bababa ang carrying capacity ng Laguna Lake. Kaya kinakailangan natin solusyunan ito agad. Kaya kami naman, sila Speaker, sila SDS, mga Congressman ng Laguna talagang magkakasama kami dito,” Dimaguila also said, noting that the provincial governor also backed the initiative.
Laguna Rep. Ramil Laurel Hernandez, chairperson of the Special Committee on Southern Tagalog Development, reported that HR 906 passed committee-level review and is scheduled for second reading in plenary, expressing confidence that support from House leadership will accelerate its passage.
HR 906 directs relevant national line agencies and the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) to formulate and execute an integrated flood control strategy aligned with the updated LLDA Comprehensive Master Development Plan.
Authors of the measure include Hernandez, Dimaguila, Santa Rosa City Rep. Roy Gonzales, Calamba City Rep. Charisse Anne “Cha” Hernandez, and Laguna Rep. Ann Matibag.
The resolution aims to synchronize watershed rehabilitation, targeted dredging, and infrastructure construction to protect flood-prone lakeside towns.
Specific provisions call for a fresh bathymetric survey to assess current lake depth and capacity, targeted dredging at key tributaries and river mouths, and reforestation efforts to curb soil erosion and sedimentation.
HR 906 also urges an independent technical assessment and detailed engineering design for the proposed Parañaque Spillway Project to create an additional drainage channel releasing excess lake water into Manila Bay.
Additionally, the resolution mandates a livelihood restoration and displacement mitigation plan for fisherfolk affected by major civil works, alongside mandatory quarterly progress updates submitted to the Special Committee on Southern Tagalog Development.
The consultation, hosted by Rep. Cha Hernandez, linked local flooding complaints directly to the structural framework outlined in HR 906, with legislators emphasizing the importance of sustained inter-agency collaboration.