by Fredmoore Cavan
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna — Three Laguna lawmakers have pressed for long-term, sustainable solutions to perennial flooding in the province and neighboring areas as the House Committees on Public Accounts, Public Works and Highways, and Good Government and Public Accountability jointly tackled various concerns regarding government’s flood control projects.
On September 2, 2025, the issues facing the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) over alleged ghost projects and anomalies involving private contractors were discussed jointly by the four House panels.
Biñan City lone district representative Walfredo “Arman” Dimaguila Jr. pushed for House Resolution No. 33, which seeks a comprehensive review of all flood control projects along Laguna Lake. The review, he said, will determine if the government needs to craft a master plan that not only prevents flooding but also improves the lake’s water quality.
Citing long-standing flooding problems faced by lakeside communities in Biñan City during heavy rains and typhoons, Dimaguila appealed to newly appointed Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon to prioritize solutions for Laguna, Rizal, and low-lying areas in Metro Manila.
“Nananawagan po ako sa bagong Secretary ng DPWH, mag-isip, magplano, kumonsulta, at matuto sa kasaysayan. Nakita na po natin ang paghihirap ng aming lugar, ng buong Laguna, buong Rizal, at ilang bayan sa Metro Manila. Tapusin na po natin ang pagsasakripisyo namin,” Dimaguila said.
During his nine-year stint as mayor of Biñan, Dimaguila said he repeatedly proposed flood control solutions, but the DPWH allegedly prioritized other projects in the province.
Santa Rosa City lone district representative Roy Gonzales, for his part, pushed House Resolution No. 79, which calls for an inquiry into the feasibility of an environment-friendly dredging project in Laguna Lake.
Gonzales stressed that dredging could help increase the lake’s water-holding capacity, a crucial step in mitigating recurring floods in Laguna and neighboring Metro Manila communities.
Meanwhile, CALAMBA CITY lone district representative Charisse Anne Hernandez underscored the need for sustainable and nature-based solutions as the committee took up House Resolution No. 107. The measure seeks a comprehensive review of existing flood control projects along Laguna de Bay and the formulation of a long-term lake management and flood mitigation master plan.
Citing recurring floods brought by past and recent typhoons despite billions of pesos spent annually on infrastructure, Hernandez described the situation as a “failure of governance,” saying government efforts have fallen short in protecting the lake and surrounding communities.
“This is a failure of governance. Kailangan nating aminin na may kapalpakan na po ang gobyerno na sa kabila ng napakaraming pondo, batas, at institusyon para proteksyunan ang lawa, patuloy pa rin itong nasisira, at nagdudulot ng baha,” she said.
She underscored that solutions should go beyond walls and pumping stations, and must integrate engineering, science, and ecology. Hernandez pushed for an evidence-based, people-centered, and climate-resilient master plan for lake management and long-term flood mitigation.
