Munti Lake Management Office is first in NCR – Sec. Neri Acosta

LLDA General Manager Neri Acosta (left) and Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi (right) plant bamboo at a creek side in the NBP Reservation in Muntinlupa City during a recent tree-planting activity. Sec. Acosta commended Fresnedi and the City Government for its efforts in maintaining the ecological balance in Muntinlupa City particularly Laguna de Bay. Photo by Allen Taclas (PIO)

The General Manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) has commended Muntinlupa City for being the first local government unit in the National Capital Region to have an agency that deals directly with the welfare of Laguna de Bay.

Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection and LLDA General Manager Sec. J.R. Nereus “Neri” O. Acosta praised the City in its efforts in restoring Laguna de Bay, among them, establishing the Lake Management Office (LMO), which he noted to be the first in NCR.

Sec. Acosta delivered these remarks at a tree-planting activity held at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Reservation in Muntinlupa City last September 13, where he also complimented Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi for his dedication and commitment to take care of the environment.

“We are definitely honored by these recognitions,” Fresnedi said in response. “Being the first to have our own LMO gives us the opportunity to show other LGUs around the lake how the challenge of restoring Laguna de Bay should be done.”

The activity involved the planting of bamboo trees along waterways to prevent erosion and stop the heavy siltation currently plaguing Laguna de Bay. Siltation has significantly reduced the lake’s depth, causing it to overflow more often especially during very heavy rains.

Acosta also emphasized that Laguna de Bay is a catch basin for rainfall coming from the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, so it is essential that LGUs around the lake work with the LLDA to alleviate flooding in the future, especially with the threat of heavy rainfall such as the recent Habagat becoming very real and occurring almost regularly.

With Muntinlupa having the longest shoreline among LGUs in NCR, Acosta challenged Muntinlupeños to work hard to restore Laguna de Bay and to preserve the City’s ecosystem for future generations. “Plant more of these bamboo trees to not only save Muntinlupa from flooding, but also to leave a wonderful legacy for your children,” Acosta said.

Aside from the LMO, Muntinlupa also has several agencies dedicated to maintaining the environment, among them the Environment Sanitation Center (ESC) and Environment Protection and Natural Resources Office (EPNRO). These are part of the environmental component included in Fresnedi’s Eight-Point Agenda for the City.