According to the SSLM, the 100-km ring dike project was connected with the Lakeshore Park Development, which would involve the construction of four gridlocks that will make use of the dredged silt from the 90,000 hectare surface area of the lake.

In a press forum held at Club Filipino recently, Cabrera explained that the ring dike project was chosen as a top priority of the agency’s new leadership after it reportedly carefully studied schemes how to deal with the flooding, human settlement, and domestic and industrial pollution in the lake.

He asserted that the construction of a dike, which may cost more than P200 billion, could be carried out side by side with the relocation of at least 300,000 families who have been living along the lake shores and the river banks of its tributaries. He said the construction of the dike, which would likely take 10 years, would fast-track the restoration of the lake and bar illegal settlers from encroaching on its shores.

“This will be built like a mega-dike with a height of four meters to increase the holding capacity of the lake. We are sure this will have a major impact in the region,” Cabrera added.

Cabrera said instead of assigning a contractor to do the work, the government will put the dike project under the public-private partnership program, which would require projects to undergo a public bidding.

A transparent bidding process would remove worries of overpricing and corruption, he added. He, however, did not provide details about the ongoing talks with the Chinese business group .

Cabrera said the government would form a committee composed of officials from LLDA, the Department of Public Works and Highways, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and the National Housing Authority to study and execute the plan.

In the meantime, Pamalakaya and SLLM have also sent a communiqué to the Chinese government through its ambassador in Manila Liu Jianchiao to drop all plans to fund the ring dike project.

(Photo by Angelica de Lara / bulatlat.com)

In a letter of appeal sent to the Chinese envoy in Manila, Hicap and Gonzalez urged the Chinese government to intervene and stop their investors from funding a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project which they said will only cause the destruction of the lake.

According to government reports, reclamation of the Laguna Lake will be undertaken to collect revenues from the sale of the reclaimed land for commercial structures and other businesses and pave the way for the construction of the 220 kilometers baywalk along the shoreline. The government will make use of Laguna Lake to build more government offices in designated areas including port facilities for navigation of ferries/water transport, and will set up cable cars from Taytay to Mt. Makiling and Mt. Caliraya passing through Talim Island as a tourist attraction.

There are also pending plans affecting nearby lake towns , such as the lake dredging in Taguig City supposedly for the purpose of flood control. Government plans to construct a 9.8 kilometer wide road and dike from Taguig to Taytay. Then there are the plans for the construction of a 9.5 km-road and dike from Bicutan to Taguig, a 28-km road and dike structure from Sta. Rosa to Calamba City, another 32 km- wide dike and road from Bay to Sta.Cruz; a 28 km stretch of road and dikes from Siniloan to Kalayaan. All of these projects are in Laguna province.

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