Foreign group commits to fund Laguna Lake project
An international group has committed to fund the Laguna lake flood control and lakeshore project. Mike Amoranto, financial integrator from Hong Kong and Singapore and representing a group of project financiers, said his group was attracted to the comprehensiveness and sustainability of the project, which has been patented to medical practitioner Dr. Benedicto Dorado.
Amoranto said his group has committed to provide financing for the entire project. Amoranto hopes to present the project to President Duterte.
The author Dr. Dorado said his project took 10 years of research and conceptualization with son Earl Dorado, with the scientific backing of hydro-geologist Ric Javellosa, and civil engineer-architect Dody Penalosa. With the untimely demise of both Javellana and Penalosa, the project is now being continued by geologist Arnaldo Bastillo and Architect Mike Guevara and other industry experts.
“With this project, we have full trust President Duterte will leave a lasting legacy to the Filipino and to the world, “Amoranto and Dorado said.
The first phase involves the construction of flood control and dredging of Pasig River and Laguna Lake. This will be done alongside the slope protection of the 220-kilometer shoreline, proper solid waste management and reforestation of the Sierra Mountains to prevent soil erosion and flooding of Metro Manila.
So as not to disrupt the livelihood of the fishermen and maintain the ecological balance, dredging of the lake will be done in phases at 37 kilometers per zone every six months for fishes to complete its spawning to maturity cycle, Dorado explained. The dredging of the silt resting on the bed of the 90-hectare lake and the construction of the slope protection of the entire 220 kilometers lakeshore around the lake is expected to be undertaken in cooperation with Spartan Mining and Development Corporation (SMDC), he said.
This project will not only prevent flooding but will solve the mega traffic problem in Metro Manila by providing alternative routes. The business opportunities in the project will generate employment and will have trickle-down effect not only for residents within the area but for the millions of unemployed Filipinos and returning OFWs.
The second phase will be the development of the lakeshore park which will consist of port facilities, roads, highways, installation of cable cars to bring people and goods in minutes minus the land traffic, mix-use development for parks, recreational facilities, malls, residential, offices, factories, hotels and other touristoriented establishments.
Overall, the project seeks to build a mega-coastal city that will spur the development of the26 towns and three cities surrounding then 90,000 -hectare Laguna Lake.
It will develop and build the longest lakeshore park in the world to the tune of 220 kilometers comparable to Roxas Boulevard but on a larger and longer scale.The plan also includes building the longest lakeshore park in the world that aims to entice global interest for more tourists to visit the Philippines.