GMA tells Atienza, Manda to work together

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo has ordered Environment Secretary Lito Atienza and Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) general manager Edgardo Manda to set aside their differences and work together to address the flooding around Laguna de Bay.

“Right now it is high time (for them) to work together, act together so that efficient solutions can be made and can be implemented as soon as possible,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Anthony Golez.

Atienza earlier threatened to sue Manda for failing to dismantle numerous fish pens in the lake two years after he ordered the clearing. He claimed the obstruction on the flow of water is the main cause of the flooding.

Manda, on the other hand, said the fish pens did not cause the flooding alone, but also the diminishing vegetation in watersheds surrounding Laguna de Bay.

Golez said “for the moment,” any investigation on Manda would be put on hold so the agencies can focus on the flood problem.

“Because everybody must be forward looking. People should be moving or taking steps forward in order to resolve any issues confronting them and to make sure problems are solved as soon as possible,” he said.

The Laguna de Bay area remains submerged a week after storm “Ondoy” pounded Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Meanwhile, the LLDA yesterday asked the local government units (LGUs) to prohibit residents evacuated from lakeshore towns and cities along the stretch of Laguna de Bay from returning to their homes.

Manda said the lives of at least 100,000 families living in lakeshore communities are endangered if another typhoon as strong as Ondoy hits the country.

He said those living in lakeshore communities should be prepared for longer than usual flooding because the lake’s water level is seen to rise to as high as 14.5 meters or higher until December.

Based on the monitoring station in Los Baños, the lake’s water level is already 13.6 to 13.8 meters. From July to September, the station monitored an average rise of 0.67 meters a month or two meters in three moths.

Manda noted that there are around 5,000 informal settlers in the Napindan Channel, the entry point of Pasig River into Laguna de Bay.

Thousands of residents in Lupang Arenada in the boundaries of Angono, Taytay, Cainta, Pasig, and Muntinlupa are also endangered.

“Thousands of residents in these areas will be directly affected once the record-high water level goes any higher,” Manda said.

Manda said LLDA’s warning has been deliberately ignored by informal settlers who continue to build structures in the danger zones mentioned. – With Non Alquitran and Evelyn Macairan