Ping Lacson Wants LGUs Around Laguna Lake to Have Greater Say in Its Management

Former Senator and 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson wants local government units (LGUs) around Laguna Lake to have a greater say in its cleanup, rehabilitation and management.

Lacson also proposed that the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) allow more participation for LGUs in managing Laguna Lake through a board- or council-type setup.

“I am prepared to partner with you not just in Muntinlupa City but also the other LGUs around Laguna Lake in this regard,” Lacson said in Filipino at the Muntinlupa City government’s flag-raising ceremony early Monday.

Related: Ping Lacson, Nais Mabigyan ng Mas Malakas na Boses ang LGUs sa Laguna Lake Para sa Pamamahala Nito

He supported an idea Mayor Ruffy Biazon floated – of having the LGUs have “mini EEZs” (exclusive economic zones) of sorts.

Under this setup, the LGUs around the lake can collaborate and consolidate their efforts to help rehabilitate and sustain its cleanup and maintenance. They will work with a common direction of saving a “dying” Laguna Lake.

Lacson also said the LLDA, which is under the administrative supervision of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), could allow more participation from LGUs whose representatives can set up a board or council.

Such a board or council can be similar to the representation of LGUs of Metro Manila in the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), he said.

“LGUs will have a voice on how to rehabilitate, maintain and develop the lake. The LGUs can contribute different perspectives because they are the ones on the ground and may know better how to manage Laguna Lake,” he said.

Lacson has been a champion of giving LGUs more say in running the government. He has advocated the Budget Reform for Village Empowerment (BRAVE), where LGUs get more autonomy and resources, as well as the accompanying accountability, in implementing key development projects, programs and activities.

He noted that billions of pesos in the yearly budget is not used, and could fund development and livelihood projects at the barangay, municipal, and provincial levels.

Lacson received a warm welcome in Muntinlupa City, with Mayor Biazon – son of the late former Armed Forces chief of staff and Senator Rodolfo Biazon – lauding Lacson for his integrity in public service “both in the uniformed service and in the halls of the Senate.”

“As the elections draw near, we hear of the word integrity. And when it comes to integrity, I look up to Sen. Lacson both as a member and chief of the Philippine National Police, and as Senator,” Mayor Biazon said in Filipino.

“If we are to choose our leaders especially in the Senate, let us consider their track record and character, and their integrity in pursuing their advocacies,” he added.

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Ping Lacson, Nais Mabigyan ng Mas Malakas na Boses ang LGUs sa Laguna Lake Para sa Pamamahala Nito

Nais ni dating Senador at 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson na magkaroon ng mas malakas na boses ang mga local government units (LGUs) sa paligid ng Laguna Lake para sa pamamahala at pagpapaunlad nito.

Iminungkahi rin ni Lacson na magkaroon ng mas aktibong pakikilahok ang mga LGU sa Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) sa pamamagitan ng board- o council-type na setup.

“Ako ay handang makipag-partner sa inyo di lang sa Muntinlupa kundi sa LGUs na nakapaligid sa Laguna Lake, sa ating lake kung saan ang naapektuhan dito ang mga LGUs sa paligid,” ani Lacson sa talumpati niya sa flag-raising ceremony ng Muntinlupa City government nitong Lunes.

Sinuportahan niya ang mungkahi ni Mayor Ruffy Biazon na magkaroon ng “mini EEZs” (exclusive economic zones) ang mga LGU.

Sa ilalim nito, ang mga LGUs sa paligid ng Laguna Lake ay maaaring makipagtulungan sa rehabilitasyon at maintenance para sagipin ang “naghihingalong” Laguna Lake.

Diin din ni Lacson, ang LLDA na kasalukuyang sa ilalim ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ay maaaring magkaroon ng pakikilahok sa mga LGUs na maaaring magbuo ng board o council.

Ang ganitong board o council ay maaaring katulad ng setup sa representasyon ng mga LGUs ng Metro Manila sa Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

“Meron kayong say, meron kayong boses kung paano aayusin at rehab at paano ima-maintain. Kasi pag national agency iba ang kanilang perspective kesa sa local na may pakialam sa pamamahala ng Laguna Lake,” aniya.

Sinusulong ni Lacson ang papel ng LGUs sa pagpapatakbo ng pamahalaan. Isa sa adbokasiya niya ang Budget Reform for Village Empowerment (BRAVE) kung saan makakakuha ang LGU ng mas malaking awtonomiya at resources, pati ang pananagutan, sa pagpapatupad ng development projects, programs at activities.

Ani Lacson, bilyon-bilyong piso sa budget ang hindi nagagamit at maaaring gamitin para sa development at livelihood projects sa lebel ng barangay, bayan, at probinsya.

Mainit na pagtanggap ang sumalubong kay Lacson sa Muntinlupa City. Pinuri si Lacson ni Mayor Biazon – anak ng yumaong dating Armed Forces chief of staff at Senador Rodolfo Biazon dahil sa kanyang integridad sa serbisyo – “both in the uniformed service and in the halls of the Senate.”

“Ngayong panahon ng halalan ating narinig ang salitang integrity at isa po sa mga tinitingala ko pagdating sa kanyang integridad na pinakita di lang sa pagserbisyo bilang member ng PNP at naging hepe pa ng PNP, ganoon din bilang senador na naglingkod sa bayan,” ani Mayor Biazon.

“Sana po sa pagkakataong ito na tayo ay pipili muli ng mga leaders, tingnan po natin ang track record at pagkatao, integridad, ang mga paninidigan ng programa na sinusulong pagdating sa pagpili natin sa ating mga magiging leaders most especially in the Senate,” dagdag niya.

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