Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike Project A Promise? #PublishingArticles

Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike Project A Promise? #PublishingArticles

President Aquino said during his 5th SONA, that the budget for infrastructure has more than double. A total of 12,184 km national roads were done. He cites DPWH Sec. Singson for cutting corruption in infrastructure projects, "Bawal ang tongpats, bawal ang bukol." Major infrastructures such as Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, Ternate-Nasugbu Road, Basilan Circumferential Road and Aluling Bridge are some of the ongoing and newly-built infrastructure projects of DPWH. "We worked to have the ability to fund the projects that we implemented, are implementing, and will be implementing," Aquino said.

It is common that every SONA, the President always make promises. Here are some of the action items of the Aquino government in the making: Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike bidding by end of 2014, open alternative roads to EDSA, opening of the Palawan Busuanga Airport, push Bangsamoro Basic Law, ensures enough supply of power to meet the growing energy demand and 2.606 trillion for 2015 National Budget.

Let’s give emphasis on Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike. This project sets solution in eradicating the present problems caused by constant flooding of Laguna de Bay when storms or heavy rains hit the area.

“With the cooperation of the private sector, the only obligations we have in this project are for the right-of-way; and a portion of the reclaimed land will serve as payment for the highest bidder. Because of this, we will get what we need, while spending less in the process,” Aquino said.

Unfortunately, until now, nothing has been started. It was not the first time Aquino announced the ring road-dike project for the Laguna de Bay. The President mentioned this when he was visiting flood victims in Marikina, Quezon City, Valenzuela, and Navotas in 2012. Aquino said this has been discussed with Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, whose department knows that flood problems in the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) area are always inter-connected. Floodwaters will be directed to a pumping station so that other municipalities will no longer be affected, particularly because all the other towns are below sea level. In a previous study, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) showed that one-third of Metro Manila’s land area and 19 provinces are vulnerable to flooding.

Why is it that this planned project never materialized until now because the bidding by end of 2014? What if it takes longer than what he promised? Of course, the residents along the Laguna Lake will suffer for a longer time. Will it be until next election 2016?

The total priority that would be given for this project must be instant because of the fact that more Filipinos were suffering for their livelihood. They need this to happen for a shorter time to alleviate their dilapidated way of living.

We need to implement efficient and long-term flood-control and other projects to shield us from the effects of climate change and to speed up the approval of disaster-mitigation measures, a pledging session is urgently needed to fund all these without having to use up our already scarce resources.

Instant action is needed for this project with a long term solution at hand?