With the expected increase in the intensity of weather disturbances in the future, authorities in Laguna province now say that permanent relocation may be the only solution for communities near the shoreline of Laguna de Bay.
In a recent meeting convened by the Calabarzon Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), local officials has brought up the possibility of finding permanent relocation sites for residents living in shoreland barangays, as part of the long-term solution on recurring flood problems brought by climate change and pollution in the lake and its tributaries.
This, as the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) described shoreland communities as extended areas of Laguna De Bay, classified as lake bed and receive water when the lake rises.
The LLDA said communities, who live or have put up establishments in these areas, face the risk of more flooding as Laguna de Bay could no longer receive more water due to climate change issues, pollution, and even drainage problems.
“The low-lying areas, especially those in shoreland areas, naturally get affected by water during the wet season. The problem in some places is the drainage. If the water cannot flow out of those areas, it means the drainage is very poor, and the water cannot exit to the lake,” LLDA Engineer Erwin Mercado said.
Still affected
The Office of Civil Defense IV-A recommended the relocation of communities around the lake that remain affected after the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm "Kristine" last October.
In Santa Cruz, Laguna, 563 families or 1,657 individuals remain in evacuation centers as barangays Santisima and San Pablo Norte are still submerged.
According to Santa Cruz MSWDO, a permanent relocation and resettlement site was constructed in Brgy. Uugong but due to lack of livelihood in the area, residents still return to their shoreland barangays.
According to Santa Cruz MSWDO, a permanent relocation and resettlement site was constructed in Brgy. Uugong but due to lack of livelihood in the area, residents still return to their shoreland barangays.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) IV-A reiterated its readiness to provide technical assistance to conduct a social preparation program that will capacitate residents and live in the relocation site for their safety and overall well-being.
Meanwhile, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) IV-A said that it will endorse to the National Housing Authority (NHA) the affected evacuees or households to become recipients of housing units.
Delisted
The decision for permanent relocation of households living near Laguna de Bay follows the "delisting" of a critical project that would have ensured the lake's increased water capacity.
In a recent statement, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said it has delisted a joint venture proposal for the Laguna Lake Rehabilitation and Development Project with an estimated project cost of P763.54 billion.
While NEDA did not disclose the specific reason for the delisting of the project, it noted that it - along with five other public-private partnership (PPP) ventures - were delisted due to rejection by the Implementing Agencies (IA) upon evaluation, changes in mode of implementation, and delisting by the NEDA-Investment Coordination Committee during the approval phase.
(With report from PIA)
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